Whether you're a newly diagnosed patient, a friend or relative of someone with Hepatitis C, this book offers help. Written by two physicians from Lahey Clinic, Dr. Fabry and Dr. Narasimhan, this book provides authoritative, practical answers to the most common questions about Hepatitis C.

Dedication

iii

Introduction

ix

Foreword

xi

Part 1: The Basics

1

(14)

Questions 1-8 provide background information for understanding hepatitis C, including:

Can you give me an overview of the liver and liver disease?

What is hepatitis C?

Who should be screened for hepatitis C?

Part 2: Transmission

15

(10)

Questions 9-17 address concerns about how hepatitis is transmitted and prevention, including:

What are the most common risk factors for hepatitis C?

How can I prevent transmission of hepatitis C to other people?

Can hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact

Part 3: Natural History and Symptoms

25

(10)

Questions 18-24 discuss symptoms and other factors associated with hepatitis C, including:

What is the natural history of hepatitis C?

What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis C infection?

Can the liver worsen while someone feels well?

Part 4: Testing and Evaluation

35

(24)

Questions 25-36 cover available tests and methods for evaluation, including:

Can you give me an overview of testing and evaluation?

What is a hepatitis C antibody test?

What is a direct test for hepatitis C virus?

Part 5: Treatment

59

(24)

Questions 37-50 explore treatment options and choices, including:

Can you give me an overview of treatment?

Can hepatitis C be cured, and how is "cure" defined?

What are the potential benefits of undergoing treatment for hepatitis C?

Part 6: Treatment Side Effects

83

(20)

Questions 51-62 address common side effects associated with treatment, including:

Are there any treatment side effects?

What are the side effects of interferon therapy?

What are the side effects of ribavirin therapy?

Part 7: Special Situations

103

(10)

Questions 63-68 help patients cope with special situations, including:

What if I have a new case of acute hepatitis C infection?

Is acute hepatitis C treated differently?

What if I have mild kidney disease or even kidney failure?

Part 8: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Options

113

(10)

Questions 69-79 explore the role of complementary and alternative medicine options, including:

What is the role of complementary and alternative medicine options in hepatitis C?

What can you tell me about milk thistle?

What can you tell me about licorice root?

Part 9: Cirrhosis

123

(16)

Questions 80-85 provide answers about cirrhosis as it relates to hepatitis C, including:

What is cirrhosis?

How is cirrhosis diagnosed?

What are the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis?

Part 10: Liver Cancer

139

(10)

Questions 86-91 answer common questions about liver cancer, including:

Can you give me an overview of liver cancer and hepatitis C?

What are the signs and symptoms of liver cancer?

Who should be screened for liver cancer and how?

Part 11: Liver Transplantation

149

(14)

Questions 92-98 cover the risks, recurrence, and treatment before and after a liver transplant, including:

Can you give me an overview of liver transplantation for hepatitis C?

How are patients ordered on the transplant list, and what is the MELD score?

What are the risks of surgery, and what is the difference between deceased donor and living donor liver transplantation?

Part 12: The Future

163

(4)

Questions 99 and 100 offer a candid account of the current rate of cure and reasons for tremendous optimism for the future, including:

Are there any new treatment options for hepatitis C?

What should I expect in the future?

Resources

167

(4)

Glossary

171

(6)

Index

177

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.