BLOODborne Diseases
HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C usually is not cleared up within six months. Few people are able to recover from it. It can be fatal.
What are the symptoms?
- Flulike
- Often no symptoms until liver damage occurs
What is the incubation period?
- Average seven to nine weeks, possibly up to seven months
How can I get it?
- Blood to blood contact, especially by intravenous drug use and shared needles
- Exposure to items with contaminated blood like:
› Needles (tattoo, body piercing, acupuncture)
› Razors
› Nail files
› Toothbrushes
› Scissors
› Tampons - Sexually transmitted disease with rashes or sores
- Blood transfusions and organ transplants before July 1992
What is the treatment?
- Combination of drug treatments
- Liver transplant
Is there a vaccine?
No.
For more information on hepatitis see UFT Straight Talk , or
contact: Hepatitis Foundation International
30 Sunrise Terrace
Cedar Grove,
NJ 17009
(1-800-891-0707)