Living With Hepatitis C For Dummies E-Book

Nina L. Paul

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 433

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

A comprehensive, empathetic guide for anyone suffering from this serious liver disease Approximately 4 million Americans and 170 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, a viral liver disease that is treatable but not curable. It accounts for more than 40 percent of U.S. liver disease deaths-about 8,000 to 10,000 people annually-and is the most common reason for liver transplantation. This compassionate guide explains how hepatitis C affects the liver and the body and provides solid advice on today's treatment options-from drugs (and their side effects) to transplants and alternative therapies-as well as tips on dealing with the emotional and financial burdens the disease brings with it. Nina L Paul, PhD (New York, NY) earned her doctorate in infectious disease epidemiology and immunology from Yale University. She has researched viruses (human immunodeficiency virus and others) and the immune system.

Leseprobe

Living with Hepatitis C For Dummies®

by Nina L.Paul, PhD

Foreword by Gina Pollichino,RN

Living with Hepatitis C For Dummies®

Published byWiley Publishing, Inc.111 River St.Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2004116928

ISBN: 0-7645-7620-8

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Author

Nina L. Paul, PhD, has worked in the field of science and health communication for 22 years. She started down this path at SUNY Purchase, where she received her bachelor’s degree in biology and performed research in the field of neuroimmunology.

After working in medical publishing at Rockefeller University Press (Journal of Clinical Investigation), she received her master’s degree and PhD in infectious disease epidemiology and immunology from Yale University.

After leaving Yale, Nina pursued postdoctoral research in England. Nina’s research focused on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and related viruses and their interaction with the immune system. As part of her research, she published research articles and presented her results at scientific conferences around the world.

Nina also taught science to schoolchildren in New Mexico and volunteered at a hospital-based Cancer Information Centre in England. She worked in the field of evidence-based medicine and contributed to the Cochrane Library (a medical database).

Nina believes in a multifaceted approach to health. She became a master of reiki, which is a universal life-force energy that is transmitted through the hands. Check out Nina’s Web site at www.ninapaul.info.

Dedication

I dedicate this book to my mother, Harriet Paul.

Author’s Acknowledgments

Here is the place where I thank the “village” that helped me to write this book.

I’m grateful for the support of loving family and friends: the Paul clan — Marvin (my father), David, and Joshua; The Kasmanoff’s — Caryn, Sam, Nathan, Noah, and Anna; The Sularski’s — Suzette, Allan, and Rebecca; Thelea Fudim, Bunny Kunin, and Henry Gotthelf; the four Barbaras, Annette, Sue, Patti, Cindy, Robin, Lily, Gus, and Burton, and all my other friends and Reiki angels.

I thank the editorial team, including Natasha Graf, who came up with the idea for this book and brought me to it; Mike Baker, who contributed valuable experience and perspective as project editor; Tina Sims, copyeditor, who has the sharpest eyes; and George Nikias, MD, who heads a hepatitis C clinic in New Jersey and served as technical editor.

An angel brought Gina Pollichino, RN, who has shared her enthusiasm and knowledge about hepatitis C and wrote the foreword to this book.

To the people living with hepatitis C, their family and friends, and their doctors who have shared their stories with me, a huge thank you.

Publisher’s Acknowledgments

We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.

Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:

Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development

Project Editor: Mike Baker

Acquisitions Editors: Natasha Graf, Mikal Belicove

Senior Copy Editor: Tina Sims

Editorial Program Assistant: Courtney Allen

Technical Editor: George Nikias, MD

Editorial Manager: Jennifer Ehrlich

Editorial Assistant: Nadine Bell

Cover Photos: ©Ed Pritchard/Getty Images/Stone

Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)

Composition Services

Project Coordinator: Michael Kruzil

Layout and Graphics: Andrea Dahl, Lauren Goddard, Denny Hager, Stephanie D. Jumper, Barry Offringa, Jacque Roth, Heather Ryan

Special Art: Kathryn Born

Proofreaders: Jessica Kramer, Charles Spencer, TECHBOOKS Production Services

Indexer: TECHBOOKS Production Services

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher, Consumer Dummies

Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director, Consumer Dummies

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Brice Gosnell, Associate Publisher, Travel

Kelly Regan, Editorial Director, Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher, Dummies Technology/General User

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services

Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services

Foreword

I’m thrilled to be writing the foreword for Living with Hepatitis C For Dummies. Nina L. Paul, PhD, has written a comprehensive guide to living with this illness. Nina has studied epidemiology, immunology, and viruses extensively, and her vast knowledge and experience have made her the ideal author for this book. She covers every issue of living with and managing hepatitis C — from diagnosis to treatment. The For Dummies series of books has been around for quite some time, and it’s refreshing to see hepatitis C written about in such an insightful way. Having a well-written, user-friendly book that can educate people with this diagnosis is a godsend.

I know firsthand how important it is to have a guide like this. When you have hepatitis C, it seems all you have are questions and not many answers. Being diagnosed with this illness can create much confusion and fear, and you may feel powerless over the disease. By learning all you can about hepatitis C and how best to deal with it, your overwhelming anxiety is lessened. Reading Living with Hepatitis C For Dummies can do just that!

Many people have no symptoms from hepatitis C, yet they often worry about the uncertainty of what the disease will bring in the future. In addition, hepatitis C patients often deal with the stigma surrounding the disease. A large portion of our society knows nothing about hepatitis C, and those who do often have many misconceptions. This book not only educates the patient with clear, concise, and accurate information, but it can also be shared with family and friends to help them understand what the patient is dealing with. Having any chronic illness creates many challenges, but you can learn to face them head on and learn how to deal with them in a more positive way. When you arm yourself with knowledge, you empower yourself and ultimately gain some sense of control over your illness. You may not be able to control the outcome, but you have the power to control how you deal with it. The information and knowledge this book provides will help to give you the power to face this disease head on.

When I first started running support groups for hepatitis C patients, I saw a great number of people with many misconceptions about the disease. Much has been learned since the early ’90s. Early on, I saw many people struggle through interferon monotherapy, yet I saw very few people respond to the treatment regimen. Over time, with the addition of ribavirin, I saw many more patients respond and remain virus free at the end of treatment. The next leap forward was pegylated interferon. As the research chronicled a much better response rate, I saw those results firsthand with the patients in my support groups. Witnessing this great advance in hepatitis C treatment has been wonderful, and I feel very fortunate to work with patients who are benefiting from these advances. But the most important message here is that there is hope for someday living a life free of the hepatitis C virus. Of course, not everyone can take treatment for various reasons, and not all of those who do will respond. With ongoing research, many more drug regimens will be used, and ultimately many, many more people will be cured.

My personal journey with this disease began in 1994 with acute hepatitis C. As an RN, I knew what hepatitis was, but beyond that, I knew very little. If this book were available at the time of my diagnosis, it would have been much easier to understand the disease and overcome the fear and uncertainty. Just like everyone else with this illness, I wish that I didn’t have hepatitis C. However, the glass is still half full for me, and it can be for you, too. I have hepatitis C, but it’s just one aspect of my life, of which there are many. It is possible to deal with adversity with grace and dignity, and out of this struggle comes personal growth. When you have hepatitis C, it changes some of the ways that you view your life and the decisions you must make, but you can learn to deal with the changes this disease brings about. Living with hepatitis C is an ongoing journey, and you will get all the information you need to move forward in this journey right here in this book. Bravo, Nina Paul, for writing Living with Hepatitis C For Dummies! It’s the ultimate hepatitis C guide, and I applaud your efforts!

— Gina Pollichino, RN

Contents

Title

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You’re Not to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I : Understanding and Exposing Hepatitis C

Chapter 1: Conquering Hepatitis C

How Hepatitis C Is Spread

Getting Tested for Hepatitis C

Describing the Disease

Fighting Hepatitis C

Getting Financial Support

Staying Organized with a Hep C Notebook

You’re More Than a Statistic

Chapter 2: Talking about Transmission

Tracing Hepatitis C Transmission

Protecting Others from Getting Infected

Reviewing the Hepatitis Virus ABCs

Chapter 3: Let’s Get Ready to Rumble: Hepatitis C versus Your Immune System

When Viruses Attack

Tracking the Hepatitis C Virus Life Cycle

Fighting Back: The Immune System Responds

Chapter 4: Infecting the Liver: Symptoms and Progression of the Disease

Looking at Your Liver

Experiencing Symptoms

Describing the Progression of Hepatitis C

Part II : Diagnosing and Treating the Disease

Chapter 5: Building Your Medical Support Team

Starting with Your Primary Care Provider

Moving on to Specialists

Examining the Doctor-Patient Relationship

Creating Your Hep C Notebook

Including Others in Your Healthcare Support

Chapter 6: Testing for the Hepatitis C Virus

Beginning the Process

Getting Tested

Genotyping Your Virus

Charting Your Progress

Chapter 7: Testing the Liver

Blood Tests

Imaging Tests

Liver Biopsy

Chapter 8: Prescribing Medical Treatment

Describing Interferon Treatment

Deciding Whether You’re a Prime Candidate

Understanding the Side Effects

Responding to Treatment

Researching Future Medical Treatments

Treating Hepatitis C Symptoms

Chapter 9: Getting a New Liver

Meeting the Folks Who Need a New Liver

Traveling the Trail to a Transplant

Transplanting the Liver

Living with a New Liver

Chapter 10: Looking at Types of Treatment: Western, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine

Considering the Evidence

Describing Different Treatments for Hep C

Alternative Medical Systems

Finding Complementary and Alternative Providers

Part III : Living a Good Life with Hep C

Chapter 11: Eating and Drinking for Health

Why Nutrition Matters with Hepatitis C

Connecting the Pieces of the Digestion Puzzle

Balancing Your Diet

Easing Hep C Symptoms

Going Out to Eat

Drinking Like a King

Planning Your Meals

Eating Well with Cirrhosis

Moving Toward a Healthy Weight

Chapter 12: Avoiding Harmful Substances

Talking about Toxins

Managing Medications, Supplements, and Herbs

Cleaning Up Household, Industrial, and Environmental Toxins

Quitting Smoking

Giving Up Alcohol

Dealing with Dangerous Street Drugs

Getting Help for Alcohol or Drug Addiction

Chapter 13: Moving and Grooving to Reduce Stress and Feel Better

Getting a Handle on Stress and Hepatitis C

Exercising Your Fitness Options

Using Mind-Body Techniques

Experiencing Body-Based Therapies

Calming Yourself

Chapter 14: Surrounding Yourself with Support

Handling Your Emotions

Joining Support Groups

Talking with a Mental Health Professional

Taking Action and Networking

Staying Positive

Chapter 15: Working through Relationships and Telling Others

Deciding Whom to Tell

Preparing to Tell Others

Talking about Sex and Dating

Communicating with Children

Dealing with Stigma

Chapter 16: Facing Financial and Workplace Challenges

Working with Hepatitis C

Researching Health Insurance

Looking at Disability Benefits

Saving for Yourself and Your Family

Part IV : Considering Different Groups with Hepatitis C

Chapter 17: Helping Kids with Hepatitis C

Looking at Hep C in Children

Transmitting Hepatitis C from Mother to Child

Testing Children

Deciding on Treatment

Experiencing Childhood with Hepatitis C

Chapter 18: Special Groups with Hepatitis C

Gender and Hepatitis C

Ethnicity and Hepatitis C

Veterans

Healthcare Workers

People Co-Infected with HIV and Hepatitis C

People Who Inject Illegal Drugs

People in Prison

Chapter 19: For Family and Friends

Enlightening Yourself about Hepatitis C

Taking Care of Yourself

Being Part of a Support Team

Living with Someone with Hep C

Being a Sexual Partner of a Person with Hep C

Listing Some Things You Can Do to Help

Part V : The Part of Tens

Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Vacationing with Hepatitis C

Trying a Mini-Vacation

Bringing Your Medicine

Protecting Your Family and Others

Staying Healthy

Flying with Ease

Choosing Foreign Travel Destinations

Steering Clear of Travelers’ Diarrhea

Concerning Mosquito-Borne Infections

Getting Medical Care Abroad

Avoiding Dangerous Practices

Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Sleeping Well with Hepatitis C

Get Exercise and Country Air

Eat and Drink for Sleepy Times

Take Naps

Sleep on a Schedule

Create a Bedroom for Sleeping

Relax before Bed

Try Aromatherapy

Listen to Tapes

Wear Comfortable Bedclothes

Waking Up Too Early

Chapter 22: Ten-Plus Web Sites and Resources for Hep C

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

MedlinePlus Health Information

Veterans Affairs National Hepatitis C Program

Hepatitis C Advocate

American Liver Foundation

Hepatitis C Choices

The Hepatitis C Association

Hepatitis Neighborhood

Hep C Connection

HIV and Hepatitis

Hepatitis Foundation International

World Health Organization (WHO)

Sources Outside the United States

Drug Companies

Introduction

Millions of people in the United States and all over the world have been infected with hepatitis C. Many don’t even know they have it, because symptoms may not appear for decades.

The sooner you know that you have hepatitis C, the sooner you can begin medical treatment and start making lifestyle changes to protect others from infection and keep yourself healthy.

Hepatitis C infects the liver and causes a range of disease from none-at-all to life-threatening liver disease that can only be treated with a liver transplant. Most people fall within these two extremes.

Hepatitis C virus spreads through contact with infected blood. You could’ve received hepatitis C from a blood transfusion or from sharing any type of needle or sharp instrument for medical, cosmetic, or drug use.

But how you got your hepatitis C is nowhere near as important as what you’re doing now to help yourself stay well. Use this book to help you build a support network and make informed choices about your healthcare and lifestyle.

About This Book

While writing this book, I’ve tried to focus on the friendly advice given to me by a woman with hepatitis C: