Living With Hepatitis C For Dummies

A comprehensive, empathetic guide for anyone suffering from this serious liver disease Approximately 4 million Americans and 170 million people worldwide suffer from hepatitis C, a viral liver disease that is treatable but not curable. It accounts for more than 40 percent of U.S. liver disease deaths-about 8,000 to 10,000 people annually-and is the most common reason for liver transplantation. This compassionate guide explains how hepatitis C affects the liver and the body and provides solid advice on today's treatment options-from drugs (and their side effects) to transplants and alternative therapies-as well as tips on dealing with the emotional and financial burdens the disease brings with it. Nina L Paul, PhD (New York, NY) earned her doctorate in infectious disease epidemiology and immunology from Yale University. She has researched viruses (human immunodeficiency virus and others) and the immune system.

Foreword xvii Introduction 1 Part I: Understanding and Exposing Hepatitis C 7 Chapter 1: Conquering Hepatitis C 9 Chapter 2: Talking about Transmission 19 Chapter 3: Let’s Get Ready to Rumble: Hepatitis C versus Your Immune System 29 Chapter 4: Infecting the Liver: Symptoms and Progression of the Disease 39 Part II: Diagnosing and Treating the Disease 51 Chapter 5: Building Your Medical Support Team 53 Chapter 6: Testing for the Hepatitis C Virus 67 Chapter 7: Testing the Liver 79 Chapter 8: Prescribing Medical Treatment 91 Chapter 9: Getting a New Liver 109 Chapter 10: Looking at Types of Treatment: Western, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine 119 Part III: Living a Good Life with Hep C 133 Chapter 11: Eating and Drinking for Health 135 Chapter 12: Avoiding Harmful Substances 157 Chapter 13: Moving and Grooving to Reduce Stress and Feel Better 173 Chapter 14: Surrounding Yourself with Support 189 Chapter 15: Working through Relationships and Telling Others 199 Chapter 16: Facing Financial and Workplace Challenges 209 Part IV: Considering Different Groups with Hepatitis C 223 Chapter 17: Helping Kids with Hepatitis C 225 Chapter 18: Special Groups with Hepatitis C 239 Chapter 19: For Family and Friends 247 Part V: The Part of Tens 257 Chapter 20: Ten Tips for Vacationing with Hepatitis C 259 Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Sleeping Well with Hepatitis C 267 Chapter 22: Ten-Plus Web Sites and Resources for Hep C 271 Index 277