A child will be given a treatment of interferon with no accompanying medication. If they are still in the acute stage the success rate is seventy percent. Though researchers are still trying to understand why this treatment works so well in children parents are grateful for the high success rate. There is more confusion in treating children than in adults. Studies are continuing to better understand why a higher portion of children can clear the infection out of there systems without treatment than adults can.

Seniors are another treatment issue. When someone over sixty becomes infected physicians do not suggest using any treatment. This is because the progress of Hepatitis C to serious liver damage, cirrhosis of the liver, can take anywhere from twenty to forty years. Therefore it is felt that a person of that age will more likely die of natural causes in their old age than anything connected with the Hepatitis C virus. There will be some common sense lifestyle changes but beyond that more regular check-ups are about all that needs to be done.

Anyone who does not fall into those age restrictions has more treatment options. Interferon is the medication used most often to treat the Hepatitis C virus. Use of this medication alone has a cure rate of twenty five percent. That means the infection comes under control. Unfortunately sometimes patients have a relapse and if so this calls for a drug therapy that combines interferon with ribavirin. This double hitting drug therapy has some good results with forty five percent of patients using this combination showing diminished levels of the virus. Neither of these should be used if a woman is pregnant as it can cause defects or death of the fetus. Don't let the side effects prevent you from taking the treatment.

Anyone who is being treated for Hepatitis C should do a few things to help their health. One of the most important is to stop drinking. Alcohol will only speed along the damage to a person's liver. Do not use any new over the counter medications or try any natural or herbal remedies without first talking to your health care provider. Ask about getting vaccinated for both Hepatitis A nd B, especially if there are already some signs of liver damage.

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Before changes in 1992, that improved blood testing making it more sensitive, and lowering infection risks to one in one hundred thousand, transfusions and maternal transfer were the ways that children were infected. Its believed that a quarter of a million American children have Hepatitis C. The biggest issue here is that most of them remain untreated because no one knows they have the infection. Even the ones who have passed into the chronic stage only rarely show symptoms. If they do it may be that they are overly tired or even have some stomach pain that can't be easily defined. But a doctor is unlikely to conclude from those that testing should be done for HCV.

Some studies have been conducted to try and understand how the Hepatitis C virus is passed to children and how their bodies deal with it. So far studies are inconclusive. They show that during heart surgeries there is more of a chance for a child to be infected by blood transfusion. But there is an equal chance of the child's body flushing the infection out, as there is that the child will remain infected. With adults there is a twenty five percent chance of having a spontaneous viral clearance.

Studies of children who have become infected by transmission from their mothers seem to pose as many questions as they answer. For one thing it's not clear when the baby becomes infected. Researchers are not certain if it's in the womb or during the actual birth. They do know that it is not during breastfeeding, which is safe as long as the mother's nipples do not crack or bleed. Serum levels in these children are high for a short time and then seem to return to normal. But a liver biopsy will show that they have chronic hepatitis.

When treatment of children with Hepatitis C is begun in the acute stage its very successful. It appears that if only interferon is used in treatment, not in combination with anything, then the success rate is as high as seventy percent. But even these results pose questions for researchers. They do not know if it's the size of the dose, the smaller subject or a result of being able to track the disease's beginnings. Hopefully continued studies will conclude the best way to treat HCV in children.

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Studies conducted on people who are coinfected have found that this group seems to suffer a higher proportion of cases of depression, not a surprise when you think of what they have to deal with in their lives. The concern is that those who are feeling this way may be more apt to mix up their medications or even forget to take them.

One of the most difficult treatment issues with someone who is coinfected can be which should be treated first the HIV or the HCV? This must be decided based on severity and the progress of each infection. If the Hepatitis C is showing only mild symptoms then the HIV should be treated first. Leaving HIV untreated for six months to a year could be very hard on the patient's body and could lead to further complications down the way. On the other hand if the cell counts are high enough and the HCV is problematic then treating the hepatitis would be helpful in the long run. This is especially true because the liver will then be able to deal better with the strong drugs that need to be taken for HIV.

Those who are coinfected are at risk for the Hepatitis C virus to be much worse than others who are fighting only the one virus. With both, the patient may find that serious liver disease progresses much faster. Liver failure can actually occur. Drug therapy for those who are coinfected is successful twenty five to fifty percent of the time depending on which genotype the HCV is. The results are better with type two and three then type one. The drugs that are necessary to treat HIV can be very hard on the liver and so make for one more reason that trying to treat the HCV is very important.

When someone is coinfected the viral levels of the hepatitis are much higher. This means that the spread of the infection becomes that much easier and so the patient must work harder to control this potential for spreading. Do not share anything that may have even the minutest amount of blood on it. That includes toothbrushes, facecloths or razors.

If you're coinfected, or someone you love is, be sure the physician is able to treat you for both these difficult viruses.

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Then what do you do? No one wants to envisage a life alone. The best alternative is to look into the dating sites that are aimed only at those who have Hepatitis C. With several million sufferers in the Untied States it seems that these dating sites are worth looking into. There is nothing wrong with visiting these sites. You shouldn't feel funny about it. People are there for the same reason you are, to be seen as a person of worth instead of someone with hepatitis. Maybe you'll find that someone special and maybe not. At the very worst you will meet a bunch of people who will give you understanding and compassion instead of being afraid of you.

There are sites like this all over the world. With over a hundred million sufferers globally there must be some people you can meet who will help to fill that void you feel. Many people who have Hepatitis C stop socializing for fear of a lack of compassion from both old friends and those they may meet. They feel ostracized and so over time they become lonely, keeping to themselves to avoid the pain of potential rejection. No one should have to live like that. Not when the opportunity to change all that is opened to you.

These sites also usually offer chat rooms for those times when you are feeling most alone and just want to feel in the company of friends that understand what you are going through. A lot of these dating sites for people with Hepatitis C also offer support groups for this same reason. It allows an exchange of ideas and the opportunity to listen to advise from others who may have had treatment successes. As well, it's just nice to share the day's events with people you enjoy talking to. Maybe you'll meet your should mate, fall in love and never be alone again. Maybe you'll find a lover who is lonely like yourself and that builds to something lasting. Or maybe you just have the opportunity to make some friends to go to the movies with or out for the odd dinner. No matter which one it is it will lessen your loneliness and bring you back into the world of people again.

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Hepatitis C is an odd one because so much of the time it is not obvious when someone has the infection. Seventy percent of those infected show no symptoms, this makes it very hard to diagnose. It is believed that during the acute stage, the first six months, twenty five percent of people who are infected become uninfected for reasons that no one is able to determine. This is known as spontaneous viral clearance.

For the other seventy five percent of those infected with the Hepatitis C virus, also now as HCV, it becomes chronic. The only problem with these figures is that they are a bit of a guess. The number of people that are lucky enough to have a spontaneous viral clearance could be much higher based on the fact that so many people don't realize that they are infected until the HCV has been around for a long time and symptoms start to show. There are no tests that will be able to tell researchers what the exact figures are at this time.

At one time it was common practice to not treat those who were considered to still be in the acute stage. This was because they hoped that by doing nothing it would just go away. Recent studies are showing that was wrong and that if Hepatitis C is treated early there is a ninety percent success rate. Not only that but the treatment time is cut in half.

Once passed the infection period of six months the Hepatitis C virus now becomes considered a chronic infection. Interestingly of those who remain untreated it will take thirty percent of them about twenty years to develop cirrhosis of the liver. The next one third will take another ten years on top of that and the last third will take so long that they will die before the liver develops the cirrhosis. There are upwards of one hundred and fifty thousand new cases of HCV each year in the Untied States. People with HIV are very likely to also be infected with HCV as both diseases have similar transmission requirements. Around seventy percent of all intravenous drug users have Hepatitis C.

Research continues on what can be done to control this very serious infection. Unlike Hepatitis A or B there is currently no vaccine. But recent studies have made some progress and a new vaccine is in the testing stages with human subjects. So far it is having significantly successful results. The studies are continuing.

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One thing that can help is talking. It really is unhealthy to keep it all inside. Sometimes the best way to get the frustration and fear out is by seeing a councilor. One on one therapy is good for some people. There will be councilors who specialize in patients who are dealing with life threatening illnesses as a part of their normal practice. Others may prefer going to group therapy to have the opportunity to talk to others in similar circumstances. Most councilors have group sessions where people with similar needs will meet regularly to talk out their pain. These sessions can occur weekly or more often if the need is there.

There are also often meetings of groups of people, minus the councilor, who get together at community centers or storefronts to share their concerns and questions with others who have the same problems as they do. There will likely be a group like this that meets to talk about living with Hepatitis. These meetings are also very useful as people with the same problems share ideas on treatments or on how to cope with family and friends now that they know they have the Hepatitis C virus.

Some people prefer anonymity when discussing private issues. They may therefore prefer to use chat rooms on the Internet. There are so many of these available for any kind of illness one may have. People can talk to others from around the world; learn about what other people do to keep their spirits up. They can compare treatment options and see what success others have had using different drug programs. They may want to discuss other issues like diet or relationships to help understand better how to deal with their lives. Or maybe they are just feeling lonely and want to talk to people who may be able to understand their feelings better than those who may not be experiencing the same set of worries that they are.

Whichever route the person with Hepatitis C should choose, they should remember that they are not alone. Family will not desert them because of their illness and friends will not walk away. The people they have been close to before will also be there to listen and give comfort. They can still be emotionally involved with people.

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There are some things you should do if you've been diagnosed. First ask for a second test to reconfirm the results. This is just common sense and your doctor won't object. If they do, find another. It's a good idea to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B. Ask to be sent to a specialist who can deal better with your new set of circumstances. This specialist should be prepared to do an alpha-fetoprotein test. This checks for cancer. As well, you should have a liver biopsy to see if there are signs of cirrhosis.

You should be cautious in some things that you do to do your best not to be contagious to anyone. This includes not sharing a toothbrush, razor or nail clippers. Avoid risky contact such as allowing your blood to touch someone else's open cut. You can hug, cuddle and kiss your children and grandchildren, but avoid kissing them on the mouth. There is no reason to refrain from continuing the normal healthy sexual relationship you have with your long-term partner.

After you clean your teeth, wash the sink. Using a water and bleach solution, clean and wipe out the sink after each time you clean your teeth. If you cut yourself and there is blood on the counter or floor, be certain that only you clean it up once you've tended to the cut. Throw all paper towels or wipes in a plastic bag and then into the garbage.

The biggest question asked by anyone, let alone someone in their retirement years, is will they die from the Hepatitis c virus? The answer is only maybe. Studies have shown that most people who become infected after they have passed through middle age usually die from other causes or from old age before the HCV gets them. That is because HCV often stays in a person's system for years, lying dormant, before any of the damage begins. Cirrhosis of the liver will occur in approximately thirty percent of all HCV sufferers. This in itself can take thirty years to become a health issue. A percentage of those with cirrhosis of the liver will get liver cancer. But again, this does not develop quickly.

Your doctor may want to discuss with you whether treatment is a good idea or not. The most commonly used medication for HCV is interferon. This drug has not proven good when used for older patients. It is more common not to treat those over sixty.

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Unfortunately there are many other ways that Hepatitis C can be passed from one infected person to another. Those in the community who are drug users are probably among the highest risk group. The sharing of any appliance or equipment used in taking drugs is one of the easiest methods of transferring this disease. That includes sharing needles or any other piece of equipment that may have blood or body fluids on it.

Receiving an organ for transplant from someone who had the Hepatitis C virus, HCV, can give the recipient hepatitis. Someone who is a hemophiliac or has chronic kidney failure is in the high-risk category because they are constantly exposed to blood products to keep them alive. Health care workers must be very cautious when doing their jobs because they are in a potentially high-risk profession. A simple mistake, like pricking their finger with a needle that has blood on it from someone with the hepatitis C virus, can infect them.

For all those people who want to express themselves by getting a tattoo or a piercing you could also be at risk. Make sure that the place you go follows some basic hygiene practices. Those must include using only sterile needles when doing their job. Don't allow them to take a needle out of a drawer and begin unless the needle is in an unopened package and so will be used only for you. Otherwise, truthfully, you have no idea what diseases you could be at risk for. The tiniest bit of blood on a used needle could be all that is needed to change your life by giving you hepatitis, or even something worse. If they don't use sterile needles find somewhere that does.

Other potential risks come from sharing anything that could have blood on it. This includes a toothbrush or a razor belonging to an infected person.

If your partner has HCV and you both remain as a monogamous couple your chance of contracting it are low, at about five percent. But if someone has multiple sexual partners, and does not practice safe sex by using condoms, they slip into the high-risk category. The unnerving part of this disease is that in about ten percent of all cases there is no obvious means of having caught the infection.

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If the levels of infection in the bloodstream are very low then it is likely safe for her to get pregnant and not worry about transmission to the baby. But, if her levels are high, if she is already showing signs of liver damage, then there definitely is the possibility that she will transfer the infection to her child. If a woman has high levels then there is a five to eight percent possibility of transmitting the Hepatitis C virus. Its much higher if the mother is also suffering from AIDS.

Doctors are not certain at what point the infection is given to the baby. They don't know if it's while in the womb or during the delivery. But they are reasonably certain it is not during conception. But breastfeeding is something that needs to be thought of carefully if a woman has the Hepatitis C virus. First, it should only be considered if the woman shows no signs of the infection. Second she should not breastfeed if she notices that her nipples have become cracked or are bleeding. This could pass the infection on to her baby especially if the baby has a cut anywhere in their mouth.

It is difficult to determine directly after the birth if the baby is infected. In fact it can take several months before an answer is available. This is because the baby will have antibodies from the mother which make it appear that they are infected until they are between fifteen and eighteen months old when they disappear on their own. At this point testing can be done. Doctors and researchers are still trying to determine if a child is infected as a baby what the long-term results might be. Often even if infected the child will remain healthy in appearance and attitude for many years.

For certain treatments the doctors will set specific terms that must be agreed upon. For example, if a woman is about to begin a treatment period she must agree that both she and her partner will both use contraceptives during the entire treatment and for the six months afterwards in view of the fact that the medications are known to cause birth defects. The two drugs commonly used are interferon and ribavirin; it is the latter that can cause the defects.

Woman should know that having Hepatitis C does not stop them from being mothers and doing the things that are so much a part of motherhood like kissing and cuddling their children.

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Chronic Hepatitis C is a confusing disease. Some people will have the infection but it will have no affect on them at all. It will remain inactive for years, potentially as long as ten years, before there are any symptoms.  There will also be no obvious signs of liver damage if the infection lays dormant. These people may only find out they have Hepatitis C because of blood work done during a yearly check-up.

While in others the symptoms might be undeniable.  They may show signs of being very tired all the time, have a decrease in their appetite and diarrhea.  Their urine and stool may be the wrong color with the stool being too light and the urine too dark. Some will seem to have a low-grade fever all the time. They may suffer from stomach pains, nausea and tenderness in the upper body. Their eyes may take on a yellowish tint as might their skin. These are signs of jaundice.  When people with these symptoms see their health care providers it may be discovered that their liver enzymes are as much as twenty times higher than they should be.

Those with chronic Hepatitis C eventually develop liver damage in the form of cirrhosis of the liver. This disease does irreparable damage to the liver consisting of scarring that interferes with normal liver function.  But this can take ten or even twenty years from when the hepatitis infection first sets in.  About five percent of these patients eventually will go on to develop liver cancer, but this can take twenty to forty years.  Anyone, not just those with Hepatitis C, who develops cirrhosis, will eventually see the onset of liver cancer. The average time in this case is seventeen years.

Hepatitis C is the single most likely cause of a person requiring a liver transplant.  Close to one thousand liver transplants are performed in the United States for this reason every year.  Sadly it is also the cause of as many as ten thousand deaths annually. Although research continues there is no cure for Hepatitis C nor is there a vaccine against it.  One reason is that this infection is constantly mutating and so even if a vaccine were to be found the infection might mutate so quickly that it would be unusable before it had the opportunity to be used. Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to containing the Hepatitis C virus.

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