Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C – Who is at risk?
Hepatitis C may be transmitted due to risk factors related to the exchange of blood; however, in about 10% of the known cases of the disease there has been no known factor determined. Nevertheless, individuals concerned about the possibility of having contracted the virus should determine if they fit into the following risk categories:

• persons on long-term kidney dialysis therapy;
• persons who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992;
• persons having received treatment for blood-clotting disorders before 1987;
• persons who have injected or been injected with a needle in the use of street drugs such as heroin (or shared a straw while sniffing cocaine);
• persons who engage in unprotected anal sex or have multiple sex partners;
• persons who treat injured patients such as healthcare workers, police and emergency medical workers;
• persons who have undergone body piercing or tattoos;
• persons who live with someone who is infected with the HCV virus and share razors or toothbrushes;
• persons, such as hemophiliacs, who have received blood products during medical procedures or persons receiving chemotherapy.

Hepatitis C – What is the treatment?
Hepatitis C has no known cure. Patients with Hepatitis C, however, may live a full life if they take proper care of themselves. If a person suspects that they may have Hepatitis C or has engaged in any of the at-risk activities, he or she should begin by having a blood test. Once it has been determined that the patient has the disease, other tests will be prescribed. A liver biopsy will often be performed; a tiny portion of the liver is extracted through a needle which will be examined to determine the health of the liver. A genotype test may also be conducted to determine exactly what type of C virus is involved. There are about six varieties of the HCV.

Interferon is the drug of choice for the treatment of Hepatitis C. Interferon is found in the human body; it aids the body in fighting off foreign organisms, such as a virus. The levels of interferon increase when these foreign bodies invade the system as when a patient has the flu. The patient may experience fatigue and fever during this process. When interferon is injected as a drug, it helps the body by attaching to the healthy cells and warding off the unhealthy ones. Secondarily it helps the immune system slow down the production of the unhealthy invading organisms while also ridding the body of these unhealthy cells. Patients with Hepatitis C should make every effort to eat healthy diets and limit the intake of alcohol.

Hepatitis C – Where is the Hope?
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28). Isn’t that a wonderful promise? For those of us who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, this promise is one you can rely on. Jesus also said, “My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). No earthly ailment is too big for Jesus Christ and there is not an emotion or struggle he hasn’t gone through. If you are feeling burdened beyond what you can carry, Jesus is waiting for you with arms wide open. Won’t you let him carry your load?