The Hepatitis (A,B,C) Support Center

The Journey:
Just Found Out
Dealing With It
Recover & Thrive
Worst Case

Facing the Initial Impact of Hepatitis (A,B,C)

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Hepatitis (A,B,C)

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like hepatitis, you are never alone.  Countless men, women, and children have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived. The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge.  

TSC has scoured the Web to gather together links to the very best hepatitis resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of physical, emotional, and other challenges you're facing now. 

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this hepatitis guide even more helpful to survivors like you.
  

JUST FOUND OUT

Suvivors Say: The Best Resources for Hepatitis

The Big Picture

According to the CDC, hepatitis A is an acute liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV), lasting from a few weeks to several months; it does not lead to chronic infection. Hepatitis B is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV); it ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver disease or liver cancer. Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV); HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. (Hepatitis D and E are uncommon in the U.S.)

Understanding the different types of hepatitis is important in determining what treatment you'll need:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC Viral Hepatitis

Signs of viral hepatitis may differ based on the type you have:

Your Hepatitis


Understanding your type of hepatitis will make it easier to explain disease to others and to find and follow the best treatment as you work with your doctor to determine  how to stay healthy: 

About.com: Hepatitis - Overview of Hepatitis

Questions to Ask Your Doctor When You've Just Been Diagnosed

Your World

Don't be surprised if you're feeling many emotions now, especially if you have a more serious type. Understanding the disease and knowing that others have survived and thrived after a diagnosis of hepatitis can help now. Here are some other resources to look into: 

Explaining your hepatitis diagnosis to family and friends can be tough -- here's some guidance about breaking the news about a hepatitis C diagnosis:

HCVAdvocate: Telling Family & Friends About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis Myths

Dealing With Hepatitis (A,B,C)

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Information and Recommended Links for Survivors

Survivors say these are the best guides to hepatitis B and C (if you have hepatitis A you will recover in a few weeks to a few months); check them out to learn more about your options:

Types of Treatment

Treatment for hepatitis varies based on the tyepe you have; read up on the one that's appropriate for you:

Possible Side Effects of Treatments

Nearly every treatment comes with the risk of some side effects:

Holistic Treatments

Making lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet; quitting smoking; and exercising regularly will support your other treatments to get and stay healthy. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any alternative/complementary therapies - some herbs in particular can have an effect on the liver:

Create a Support Circle

  • Set up your TSC survival profile.
  • Join support groups of other survivors, or start your own.
  • Interact and provide updates.

Books Survivors Recommend

Things Survivors Wish They Had Known About Hepatitis Upon Diagnosis

Communicating With Your Health-care Provider

  • Keep in contact with your doctor, even when your symptoms are under control.
  • If your symptoms return or worsen, don't wait to contact your physician.
  • Ask your doctor for recommendations for mental health care providers if you're finding it hard to deal with having hepatitis.

Dealing With Hepatitis: Information for Co-Survivors

How You Can Help

  • The first thing you can offer to a friend or family member with hepatitis is an ear: They may want to to express their feelings about their diagnosis or their struggle with the disease
  • Ensure that your hepatitis survivor takes any prescribed medication as directed.
  • It is quite common for survivors of hepatitis C to experience mood swings due to their treatment. Allowing a loved one the space and time they need is one way to help.

What to Say

  • “You're not alone in this. Thousands have survived and thrived with hepatitis and I know you will, too.”
  • “Help me understand your treatment so I can help.”
  • “I'll work on my health too, and let's see if getting healthier together will help with your hepatitis symptoms.”

What Not to Say

  • “Don't touch me; I'm afraid I'll catch hepatitis from you.”
  • “You did drugs - you deserve to get hepatitis C.”
  • “You're probably going to develop liver disease or cancer now.”

Things You Can Do for a Survivor Every Day

  • Help a hepatitis survivor start a journal to track symptoms and how they're feeling.
  • Don't overwhelm a survivor with questions about the disease.
  • Treat the survivor like you would anyone else; don't discount them, or make assumptions about their potential because of the disease.

How to Build a Support Network

  • Set up your TSC co-survivor profile.
  • Create a support group for your loved one with hepatitis.
  • Interact with others, share stories, and offer advice (if asked) to help other survivors and co-survivors.

Recover & Thrive

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Recovery and Recurrence

The type of hepatitis you have with may be something that stays with you for a few weeks -- or you may have it for many years, or even the rest of your life. Learning to manage your symptoms and fight progression of the disease will help you enjoy life to the fullest:

It's especially important that you limit alcohol intake:

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: National Hepatitis C Program - Alcohol and Hepatitis C

Give Back

What helped you when you were diagnosed with hepatitis, or started treatment? The same things that got you through a difficult time may be exactly what someone else who's just found out they have hepatitis A, B or C would like to hear. Consider sharing your story -- your successes and your struggles -- with other survivors and co-survivors on TSC.

 

Worst Case

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If caught early enough, hepatitis treatments are generally quite effective, however, many who discover their type B or C case of hepatitis late may already have significant liver damage:

 When You're Facing Death

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