Menally-Ill
02-01-2003, 02:31 PM
The most alarming thing about Hep C is that MOST PEOPLE with Hep C DO NOT HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS! This is why it is called "The Silent Epidemic".
You may not even know you have it, until exptensive damage has already been done to your liver!
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH the importance of everyone getting a blood test for Hep C, because the earlier you know that you are infected, the greter are your chances of beating it.
The incubation period (time from which you are infected, until time it shows up in blood tests) is 14 to 168 days. That is, up to 5 and a half months!
Thus, even a negative blood test, only tells you that up until 5 and 1/2 months ago you did not have it. If you have engaged in any risky behavior since then (intravenous drug use, unprotected sex with a Hep C infected person etc.) you need to be re-tested!
~~~~~~~~~~
15% of those infected will clear it from their system, without any treatment.
85% of them will go on to develop CHRONIC Hep C.
Many will only develop symptoms 10 years or more AFTER they have been infected!
~~~~~~~~~~
Those who do show early signs will probably develop a FLU-LIKE illness within 6 months of being infected. They may also develop JAUNDICE, which means your skin turns yellow, as does the whites of your eyes.
Even if you DO NOT have symptoms, you can pass Hep C on to others.
Chronic Hep C leads to liver disease, characterized first by 4 levels of FIBROSIS, followed by Hep C caused CIRRHOSIS, then LIVER CANCER.
Chronic Hep C is the leading reason for LIVER TRANSPLANTS.
Symptoms of Chronic Hep C include:
fatigue,
jaundice,
nausea,
"brain fog" ( a constant mental confusion, lack of memory etc.)
muscle pain
joint pain
skin irritation and itching
hair loss
weight loss
water retention (edema)
It also leads to build-ups of toxins in the brain, especially ammonia buildups, that may cause
unresponsiveness,
trouble sleeping,
trouble concentrating,
loss of memory
~~~~~~~~~
You may not even know you have it, until exptensive damage has already been done to your liver!
I CANNOT EMPHASIZE ENOUGH the importance of everyone getting a blood test for Hep C, because the earlier you know that you are infected, the greter are your chances of beating it.
The incubation period (time from which you are infected, until time it shows up in blood tests) is 14 to 168 days. That is, up to 5 and a half months!
Thus, even a negative blood test, only tells you that up until 5 and 1/2 months ago you did not have it. If you have engaged in any risky behavior since then (intravenous drug use, unprotected sex with a Hep C infected person etc.) you need to be re-tested!
~~~~~~~~~~
15% of those infected will clear it from their system, without any treatment.
85% of them will go on to develop CHRONIC Hep C.
Many will only develop symptoms 10 years or more AFTER they have been infected!
~~~~~~~~~~
Those who do show early signs will probably develop a FLU-LIKE illness within 6 months of being infected. They may also develop JAUNDICE, which means your skin turns yellow, as does the whites of your eyes.
Even if you DO NOT have symptoms, you can pass Hep C on to others.
Chronic Hep C leads to liver disease, characterized first by 4 levels of FIBROSIS, followed by Hep C caused CIRRHOSIS, then LIVER CANCER.
Chronic Hep C is the leading reason for LIVER TRANSPLANTS.
Symptoms of Chronic Hep C include:
fatigue,
jaundice,
nausea,
"brain fog" ( a constant mental confusion, lack of memory etc.)
muscle pain
joint pain
skin irritation and itching
hair loss
weight loss
water retention (edema)
It also leads to build-ups of toxins in the brain, especially ammonia buildups, that may cause
unresponsiveness,
trouble sleeping,
trouble concentrating,
loss of memory
~~~~~~~~~