Living With Hepatitis C Everything You Need to Know

Introduction If you have just discovered that you have hepatitis C, take a deep breath and relax for a moment. You are not alone -- early 1 in every 100 people in North America has been infected with hepatitis C. You are one of those who have been identified; many people who are infected with hepatitis C don't even know that they are. You may have been diagnosed because you have symptoms, or perhaps you feel quite well and your infection was identified during a routine checkup. However you found out, it is always a shock to know that you have an infection that may cause you to have liver disease that can be severe enough eventually to require a liver transplant. Fortunately, liver replacement is only necessary in a minority of cases. The number seems large because the total number of persons with chronic infection is so large: approximately 250,000 to 300,000 in Canada, close to 3 million in the U.S.A. and many millions worldwide. One of the helpful ways to come to terms with your infection is to understand more about hepatitis C. There are many ways to gain information in these high-tech times, but it is important to ensure that the information is reliable, not just a personal opinion or observation. This book has been written by a team of physicians and nurses who have spent several years working with people infected with hepatitis C. Collectively we have listened to thousands of infected individuals from all walks of life. We have all actively participated in clinical research studies where new therapies are evaluated. We all have an ongoing interest in understanding why and how hepatitis C does what it does. We hope that this book will help you understand the current state of knowledge regarding hepatitis C: how it can affect your body, how you can prevent spreading the infection, and what treatments you may want to consider.Heathcote, Jenny is the author of 'Living With Hepatitis C Everything You Need to Know' with ISBN 9781552977392 and ISBN 1552977390.