::: HCV News :::

HEPATITIS C – FACTS & MYTHS

Facts: In order to contract hepatitis C you must have blood-to-blood contact with a person who has hepatitis C.

Contact may have happened by:

• Sharing needles and/or other “works” used to mix, cook or shoot drugs
• Sharing straws for snorting drugs
• Receiving blood, blood products, or solid organs
• Being on long-term kidney dialysis, without knowing you may have shared supplies / equipment
• Working at a job where you have a lot of contact with blood
• Being born to a mother who had hepatitis C at the time of your birth
• Having sex with an infected person without using a condom
• Living with someone who was infected and sharing items such as razors and toothbrushes

Myths: Hepatitis C is spread by:

Casual contact: shaking or holding hands, skin-to-skin contact, sneezing, hugging, coughing

Sharing silverware or drinking glasses, or through food or water
WHAT SHOULD I LOOK FOR?

• Always tired *
• Mental confusion or foggy feeling *
• Lack of concentration, attention / focus *
• Eating problems *
• Depression (feeling sad and hopeless) *
• On-and-off nausea and vomiting *
• Stomach pain and swelling *
• Loss of appetite *
• Mood swings
• Night sweats
• Flu-like illness
• Muscle and joint pain
• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)

* Most common signs / symptoms


Always Keep in Mind

• Don’t share needles, syringes, water, cotton or cookers for shooting drugs, medication or vitamins
• Don’t share straws for snorting drugs
• Don’t share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal care products
• Make sure any tattoos or piercings are done by licensed professionals using sterile equipment and using clean latex gloves each time
• Limit sexual activity to one partner
• Use latex condoms every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex