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Metropolitan Liver Diseases Metropolitan Liver Diseases/Gastroenterology Center 
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 FAQS
 HEPATITIS
QUESTIONS
Answers to all of your questions regarding Hepatitis C. Click here to see a list of Frequently Asked Questions.
FAQS
The Latest on Hepatitis C
Part 1: Administrative
  1. Introduction
  2. Disclaimer
Part 2: The Basics
  1. What is Hepatitis?
  2. What Happens in the Body?
  3. What is the Incubation Period?
  4. How Does Hepatitis C Usually Begin?
  5. What Are the Different Types of Hepatitis?
  6. What is the Function of the Liver?
  7. Hepatitis C (HCV)
  8. When was Hepatitis C Discovered?
  9. Who Gets Hepatitis?
  10. How is it Transmitted?
  11. How is it NOT Transmitted?
  12. HCV and Blood Transfusion
  13. HCV and Intravenous Drug Use
  14. HCV and IV Immunoglobulin
  15. Neonatal Transfer of HCV
  16. Other Means of HCV Transmission
  17. Sexual Transmission
  18. Occupational Exposure (Health Care Workers)
  19. Toothbrushes/Razors/Nail Clippers
  20. Hemodialysis
  21. Highly Speculative Modes of Transmission
  22. Tears, Saliva, Urine, Other Body Fluids
  23. Cat Scratches
  24. Mosquitoes
  25. Alternative Medical Procedures
  26. Household Transmission
  27. Other
  28. Is HCV Anything Like HIV?
  29. Prevention
  30. When and How Long Can it be Spread?
  31. How Can the Spread of HCV be Prevented?
  32. Cleaning Up Blood Spills
  33. What to do in Case of an Accidental Needlestick
  34. Who Should I Tell?
  35. Can You Get Hepatitis More Than Once?
  36. Vaccines
Part 3: Medical Issues
  1. How Do I Find Good Medical Care for Hepatitis
  2. Hepatologists and Gastroenterologists
  3. How is it Diagnosed?
  4. Antibody Tests
  5. What is a PCR?
  6. What is a Genotype?
  7. Is it Possible the Test Could be Wrong?
  8. Biopsy
  9. What is a Liver Biopsy
  10. What Are the Dangers of Liver Biopsy?
  11. Will it Hurt?
  12. Chronic Active and Chronic Persistent
  13. What Are the Main Symptoms of HCV?
  14. Fatigue
  15. Right-Side Pain
  16. Loss of Libido
  17. Red Palms
  18. Nausea
  19. Brain Fog (Confusion/Forgetfulness)
  20. Itching
  21. Vision Problems
  22. Dizziness
  23. It's Not All In Your Head!
  24. What is the Evolution of the Disease?
  25. What Other Medical Problems Are Related to HCV?
  26. Cryoglobulinemia
  27. Thyroid and Autoimmune Problems
  28. Rheumatoid Arthritis-Like Symptoms
  29. Fibromyalgia
  30. Dermatological Manifestations
  31. Porphyrins
  32. Lichen Planus
  33. Cycles and Flareups
  34. Should I be Vaccinated Against Other Types?
  35. HCV and Women's Concerns
  36. How Does HCV Relate to Pregnancy?
  37. How Does HCV Affect Children?
  38. What Are the Different Clinical Indications?
  39. Elevated Liver Enzymes
  40. Jaundice
  41. Hepatomegaly/Splenomegaly
  42. Spider Nevi
  43. Ascites
  44. Portal Hypertension/Varices
  45. Hepatic Encephalopathy
  46. Cirrhosis
  47. Fulminant Hepatitis
  48. Does HCV Increase the Likelihood of Cancer?
  49. How Many of Us Are There?
Part 4: Treatment (Conventional Medicine)
  1. Interferon
  2. When is Interferon Treatment Not Indicated?
  3. Interferon "Breakthrough" and "Non-Response"
  4. Iron Reduction Therapy
  5. Ribavirin
  6. Rebetron (Interferon and Ribavirin Combined)
  7. Consensus Interferon
  8. Alferon
  9. Lymphoblastoid Interferon
  10. Protease Inhibitors
  11. Interferon and GM-CSF - Combined
  12. Amantadine
  13. Ofloxacin
  14. Thymosin
  15. Cyclosporine Therapy
  16. Reticulose
  17. Transplant
  18. Others
Part 4.1: Treatment (Alternative Medicine)
  1. Acupuncture
  2. Chiropractic
  3. Energy Healing
  4. Reflexology
  5. Homeopathy
  6. Herbal Treatments and Vitamins
  7. Kombucha Tea
  8. Reishi/Shitake Mushrooms
  9. Dandelion
  10. Milk Thistle
  11. Artichoke
  12. Licorice Root
  13. Spirulina
  14. Garlic
  15. Thymic Factors
  16. Vitamin C
  17. Vitamin B12
  18. Vitamin E
  19. Natural Interferon Boosters
  20. Other Herbs or Vitamins
  21. Exercise
  22. Stress Management
  23. Positive Attitude
  24. Tai Chi/Chi Kung/Yoga/Meditation
  25. Other Ways to Keep Yourself Healthy
Part 5: Nutrition
  1. What Should I Do About Nutrition?
  2. Foods to Avoid
  3. Nutrition and Cirrhosis
  4. Coffee, Tea, Caffeine and Other Stimulants
  5. Salt
Part 6: Drugs and Alcohol
  1. Alcohol
  2. Tobacco
  3. Marijuana
  4. What are the Effects of Recreational Drugs?
  5. Intravenous Drug Use Precautions
  6. Cleaning Fits
  7. Methadone
Part 7: How can HCV affect my personal life?
  1. How is Depression Related to Hepatitis?
  2. Mood Changes
  3. Dealing with a Chronic Disease
  4. Dealing with a Lower Level of Energy
  5. Irritability
  6. How Can HCV Affect My Sex Life?
  7. Helping a Friend with Hepatitis C
  8. What Can I Say?
  9. What *Shouldn't* I Say?
Part 8: Living with HCV
  1. Life Problems Created by HCV
Part 9: Dealing with interferon therapy
  1. Hair Loss
  2. Nausea
  3. Fatigue
  4. Importance of Water
  5. Timing of Injections
  6. Injection Hints
  7. Needle Size
  8. Help! I Think I Hit a Vein!
  9. What to do When You Can't Afford the Interferon
Part 10: Where do we go from here?
  1. Long-Term Prognosis (Am I Going to Die?)
  2. Current Research, Testing, New Drugs
Part 11: Employment and Disability
  1. Income Security: Job and/or Disability Benefits
  2. How Do I Handle Problems About My Job?
  3. Problems in Seeking Disability Benefits
  4. Applying for SSI/SSDI
Part 12: Important Information
  1. What Else is Important to Know About HCV?
  2. HCV Information Resources
  3. National (USA)
  4. Canada
  5. Australia/New Zealand
  6. Great Britain
  7. Germany
  8. Local (USA) Associations and Support Groups
  9. HCV Resources on the Internet and Usenet
  10. Bibliography: Suggested Reading
  11. Newsletters, Magazines and Videos
APPENDIX A: Where to Get the Current Version of the FAQ
APPENDIX B: Common Abbreviations and Medical Terms
APPENDIX C: Some Recommended World Wide Web Sites
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