Over 16,530,112 people are on fubar.
What are you waiting for?
My mom was diagnosed with this disease 7 years ago. I found out an hour ago my brother tested positive as well.It's was bad enough 7 years ago when the doctor came out of surgery and told me there was "complications".
He asked if my mom used heavy drugs or drank heavily she does nothing.
She's the nurse who smiles at you and warms your worst day.
She's the angel when your world crashes. She is part of my everything.
One stupid prick of a needle, now she dies a little more each day.
She was also who took the call from this next person.
This is my brother, my true best friend, the one man I know I can depend on. The one guy who will jump in a fight even if his life might be at stake. Here I sit hopelessly helpless. He's about to be taken away. Unlike my mother it's his fault he's addicted to heroine sad thing about he he knew the precautions. Can get clean needles he just thought it wouldn't happen to him.
This is his daughter. How do I handle her when she asks me when her daddy is coming back or why did daddy die? How do you tell a child that drugs was more important than spending the most time allowed by god with them cause you just wanted to get high?
Hepatitis C Awareness ד®ÎÇk¥ÐÏÇK™
I'm one of the lucky ex-heroine users I never used after anyone. I needed the stuff but, didn't Want to die getting it! I've tested negative 20 times ..still some days like today I wonder if it lays their dormant...
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease. Hepatitis * means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the painful, red swelling that results when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can cause organs to not work properly.
What causes hepatitis C?
The hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C. Viruses are germs that can cause sickness. For example, the flu is caused by a virus. People can pass viruses to each other.
Who gets hepatitis C?
Anyone can get hepatitis C, but some people are at higher risk, including
* people who were born to a mother with hepatitis C
* people who have had more than one sex partner in the last 6 months or have a history of sexually transmitted disease
* people who had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
* people with hemophilia who received blood products before 1987
* people who have used illegal injection drugs
How could I get hepatitis C?
You could get hepatitis C through contact with an infected person’s blood.
You could get hepatitis C from
* being born to a mother with hepatitis C
* having sex with an infected person
* being tattooed or pierced with unsterilized tools that were used on an infected person
* getting an accidental needle stick with a needle that was used on an infected person
* using an infected person’s razor or toothbrush
* sharing drug needles with an infected person
You could get hepatitis C by sharing drug needles with an infected person.
You cannot get hepatitis C from
* shaking hands with an infected person
* hugging an infected person
* sitting next to an infected person
Most people have no symptoms until the virus causes liver damage, which can take 10 or more years to happen. Others have one or more of the following symptoms:
* yellowish eyes and skin, called jaundice
* a longer than usual amount of time for bleeding to stop
* swollen stomach or ankles
* easy bruising
* tiredness
* upset stomach
* fever
* loss of appetite
* diarrhea
* light-colored stools
* dark yellow urine
What is chronic hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is chronic when the body can’t get rid of the hepatitis C virus. Although some people clear the virus from their bodies in a few months, most hepatitis C infections become chronic. Without treatment, chronic hepatitis C can cause scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis; liver cancer; and liver failure.
Symptoms of cirrhosis include
* yellowish eyes and skin, called jaundice
* a longer than usual amount of time for bleeding to stop
* swollen stomach or ankles
* tiredness
* nausea
* weakness
* loss of appetite
* weight loss
* spiderlike blood vessels, called spider angiomas, that develop on the skin
How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
Hepatitis C is diagnosed through blood tests, which can also show if you have chronic hepatitis C or another type of hepatitis. Your doctor may suggest getting a liver biopsy if chronic hepatitis C is suspected. A liver biopsy is a test for liver damage. The doctor uses a needle to remove a tiny piece of liver, which is then looked at with a microscope
How is hepatitis C treated?
Hepatitis C is not treated unless it becomes chronic. Chronic hepatitis C is treated with drugs that slow or stop the virus from damaging the liver.
Drugs for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C
Chronic hepatitis C is most often treated with the drug combination peginterferon and ribavirin, which attacks the hepatitis C virus. Peginterferon is taken through weekly shots and ribavirin is taken daily by mouth. Treatment lasts from 24 to 48 weeks.
Liver Transplantation
A liver transplant may be necessary if chronic hepatitis C causes liver failure. Liver transplantation surgery replaces a failed liver with a healthy one from a donor. Drug treatment often must continue because hepatitis C usually comes back after surgery.
How can I avoid getting hepatitis C?
You can protect yourself and others from hepatitis C if you
* do not share drug needles
* wear gloves if you have to touch another person’s blood
* use a condom during sex
* do not borrow another person’s toothbrush, razor, or anything else that could have blood on it
* make sure any tattoos or body piercings you get are done with sterile tools
* do not donate blood or blood products if you have hepatitis C
What should I do if I think I have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus?
See your doctor and get tested if you are at higher risk of getting hepatitis C or if you think you were exposed to the hepatitis C virus. Many people do not know they are infected. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent liver damage.
Points to Remember
* Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus.
* Anyone can get hepatitis C, but some people are at higher risk.
* You could get hepatitis C through contact with an infected person’s blood.
* Hepatitis C is chronic when the body can’t get rid of the hepatitis C virus.
* Liver damage can take 10 or more years to happen and is often the first sign of hepatitis C.
* Get tested if you are at higher risk or think you may have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. Many people do not know they are infected.
* Chronic hepatitis C is treated with drugs that slow or stop the virus from damaging the liver.
Addicted & Ready or Need Help? 1-800-390-4056
Find a meeting near you! http://www.na.org/
Hep c support groups 1(800)522-HEPC
http://www.hepc-connection.org/default.asp?page=1103
Very Real People , Very Real Situation, Very Very Important You Get Your Head Out of your ass! If you can't stay clean then at least protect yourself!
(repost of original by '
ד®ÎÇk¥ÐÏÇK™ ~ÕwñÈRs~CÄnðy~ÇA®°£~& ÞµmÞkíÑ~Hepatitis C Awareness' on '2009-09-30 03:08:49')
