my daughter was diagnosed with hepatitis c where can a person go for treatment

What tests are done to diagnose hepatitis C in children?

This test identifies the type of hepatitis C that your child has. Your child’s doctor may also suggest a liver biopsy in addition to blood tests to evaluate the extent of infection in your child’s liver. However, not all children with an HCV infection will need a liver biopsy. What is the treatment for hepatitis C in children?

Is it hard to get a hepatitis C diagnosis?

Getting a hepatitis C diagnosis can be very upsetting, particularly because the disease is one that’s not widely talked about—even though an estimated 2.4 to 3 million people in the U.S. are currently living with the virus.

What is the best treatment for hepatitis C?

Treatment Antiviral medications. Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from your body. The goal of treatment is to have no hepatitis C virus detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you complete treatment.

How common is hepatitis C in children?

Hepatitis C is rare in children. The most common route of transmission is being born to a mother who has an HCV infection. However, despite having hepatitis C, many children may clear the virus without treatment by the time they are between ages 2 and 7 years. You can help older children reduce their chance of acquiring an HCV infection by:

When should you go to hospital with hep C?

Go to the ER, or call 911 and tell them you have cirrhosis if you have these symptoms: Vomiting blood. Black, tarry stools. Confused and sleepy.

Is hep C treatment covered by medical?

Medicaid programs provide health insurance coverage for many patients with hepatitis C, a public health problem for which effective but very expensive treatments are now available. Facing constrained budgets, most states adopted prior authorization criteria for sofosbuvir, the first of these agents.

Who qualifies for hep C treatment?

With the exception of pregnant women, the World Health Organization recommends treatment be offered to all individuals aged 12 years or older diagnosed with HCV, regardless of their disease stage.

Can I spread hep C to my family?

Household transmission of hepatitis C is extremely rare. Fewer than 1 in 1,000 family members or close acquaintances becomes infected each year through common, nonsexual contact with hepatitis C-infected persons. There are many possible ways by which hepatitis C could be passed from one person to another.

What is the cost of hep C treatment?

The cost of hep C treatment varies depending on the type of drug. However, an 8- to 12-week course can range from $54,000 to $95,000 (or higher). For example, the price of a 12-week course of Zepatier can be as much as $54,600, and a 12-week course of Harvoni can cost as much as $94,500.

Is hep C curable 2020?

Hepatitis C treatment can cure more than 90 percent of hepatitis C cases, but testing is a critical first step. It's estimated 40 percent of people with hepatitis C in the U.S. from 2015-2018 were unaware of their infection.

How long can a person live after being diagnosed with hep C?

People with hepatitis C can live many years after diagnosis, but the range varies. A 2014 study showed that patients infected with hepatitis C virus died on average 15 years sooner than people who did not have the illness. With hepatitis C, the liver becomes seriously damaged due to inflammation.

Can you clear hep C on your own?

Like the human papillomavirus (HPV), early acute hepatitis C can clear on its own without treatment; this happens about 25% of the time. However, it's more likely that the virus will remain in your body longer than six months, at which point it's considered to be chronic hepatitis C infection.

Can you live a normal life with hep C?

If the disease is caught early and treated, people with hepatitis C can live a normal life. Approximately 3 to 5 million people in the United States are living with chronic hepatitis C, an infection that causes inflammation and scarring in the liver.

What does hep C pain feel like?

Many chronic HCV sufferers also complain of getting aches and pains. Large numbers get sharp pains over the liver (found in the upper right corner of the abdomen) which can sometimes be very alarming. These pains are not necessarily connected with severe liver disease.

What foods should you avoid if you have hep C?

FoodsRaw oysters or shellfish. They can have bacteria that give you serious infections that are more severe if you have hep C.Fatty, sugary foods. They can stress your liver or lead to fat deposits in it.Salty foods. Avoid these if you have fluid buildup in your belly or legs.

What kills hep C?

Bleach kills HCV nearly all the time, and there are other cleaners or disinfectants you can use, too, that also work against the virus. Bleach: Bleach has been shown to kill HCV in more than 99% of contaminated syringes.

What to do if you have hepatitis C?

If you receive a diagnosis of hepatitis C, your doctor will likely recommend certain lifestyle changes. These measures will help keep you healthy longer and protect the health of others as well:

How old do you have to be to get tested for hepatitis C?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults ages 18 to 79 years be screened for hepatitis C, even those without symptoms or known liver disease. Screening for HCV is especially important if you're at high risk of exposure, including: Anyone who has ever injected or inhaled illicit drugs.

What is the best treatment for hepatitis C?

Liver transplantation. If you have developed serious complications from chronic hepatitis C infection, liver transplantation may be an option. During liver transplantation , the surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver.

How long does it take for hepatitis C to clear?

The goal of treatment is to have no hepatitis C virus detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you complete treatment.

How to prevent liver damage?

Avoid medications that may cause liver damage. Review your medications with your doctor, including over-the-counter medications you take as well as herbal preparations and dietary supplements. Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain medications. Help prevent others from coming in contact with your blood.

How long does it take to cure hepatitis C?

As a result, people experience better outcomes, fewer side effects and shorter treatment times — some as short as eight weeks.

How to prepare for a liver appointment?

Because appointments can be brief and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be well prepared. To prepare, try to: Review your medical record. This is particularly important if you are seeing a liver specialist (hepatologist) for the first time after finding out you have hepatitis C.

How many people will have hepatitis C in 2020?

David Padua, M.D. Getting a hepatitis C diagnosis can be very upsetting, particularly because the disease is one that’s not widely talked about—even though an estimated 2.4 to 3 million people in the U.S. are currently living with the virus. And while speaking to your doctor is a necessary starting point ...

Can hep C make your liver hurt?

Hep C can make it hard for your liver to handle its primary duties, such as filtering the blood, due to inflammation, scarring, and possible fibrosis. But a few simple lifestyle changes can give your meds a boost and not only help you feel better, but also prevent certain complications.

Is Hoyt's advice to self care?

Hoyt also recommends being rigid when it comes to your self-care, and most importantly, to not feel guilty about it. “I was stubborn about getting rest and eating healthy foods during treatment because it was all going to pay off in the long run,” says Hoyt. “After treatment, I immediately felt much younger.

How to avoid getting re-infected with hepatitis C?

To avoid getting re-infected, it’s important to take all the steps you’d take to avoid the virus in the first place. For example, don’t share razors or syringes, and avoid sharing toothbrushes with people who’ve been diagnosed with hepatitis C. It’s also a good idea to ask your partner to be tested for hepatitis C.

How long does it take to cure hepatitis C?

Thanks to advances in medicine, hepatitis C can be fully cured in the vast majority of people within just eight to 12 weeks of treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

How long does it take for hepatitis C to go away?

If you experience symptoms of hepatitis C (and many people don’t), it may take a few weeks or months after you finish your treatment to feel better — if you notice any changes at all.

Can you drink alcohol after hepatitis C?

You may not be able to keep drinking. For some people, it’s a good idea to avoid alcohol after you’ve been cured of chronic hepatitis C, mainly because adult beverages might tax your damaged liver and cause additional liver damage.

Can you live after hepatitis C treatment?

7 Things to Know About Life After Hepatitis C Treatment. Yes, the virus has been cleared from your body — but depending on whether you have liver damage, you may still need some additional follow-up appointments. Even if you've been cured of hepatitis C, you might need to take additional steps to protect your health.

Can over the counter medications cause liver failure?

Try to avoid over-the-counter medications and supplements. Some supplements, herbs, and over-the-counter drugs can cause liver damage and potentially even liver failure, Menon notes, particularly herbal remedies and body-building supplements.

Can you get hep C again?

You can still get hep C again. Hepatitis C is unlike many viruses you may be familiar with, since you can still become re-infected even after you’ve been cured. And, unfortunately, there is no vaccine on the horizon. “The antibody you get from hepatitis C is not protective,” says Menon.

What happens if you have hepatitis C?

Without treatment of a chronic infection, about 75% to 85% of people who have it get a long-term infection called chronic hepatitis C. If the condition goes untreated, it can lead to: Cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Liver cancer.

How long does it take for hepatitis C to stop?

It’s important to understand how the virus works. After you’re infected, chronic hepatitis C may silently hurt your body. It can take years or even decades to feel symptoms. Once you do, the virus has probably damaged your body in a number of ways. Treatments for hepatitis C can stop the virus, even before it makes you feel sick.

How does hep C spread?

Hepatitis C spreads through blood-to-blood contact. You could infect a loved one if you accidentally use their toothbrush or cut yourself and don’t clean up the blood properly. People who get hep C treatment greatly lower the odds that they will pass the virus to someone else.

How many people will get cirrhosis in 20 years?

The disease affects everyone differently, so there’s no rule. But about 70% to 80% of people with will get chronic help C. Within 20 years, about 20% to 30% of those people will get cirrhosis. From there, it depends on what type of cirrhosis you have, your treatment, and if you can get a liver transplant.

Does hepatitis C cause cancer?

Cancers. People with hepatitis C are more likely to get non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. That’s a type of cancer that starts in the immune system. The virus also raises your odds of liver cancer and bile duct cancer.

Does Hepatitis C cause high blood sugar?

High Blood Sugar. Hepatitis C can make it hard for your body’s cells to take in sugar from the food you eat. Your pancreas will pump out more insulin, a hormone that helps move sugar into your cells. That means too much sugar will stay in your blood. Over time, your body could stop responding to the effects of insulin.

Can hepatitis C cause swelling?

They can build up in vessels and block blood flow, which causes swelling and damage. The condition can affect your skin, organs, nerves, and joints. Hepatitis C also can cause problems with blood itself. You may not make enough white blood cells, which fight infections, or platelets, which help your blood clot.

What happens if you have hepatitis C?

With hepatitis C, the liver becomes seriously damaged due to inflammation. This can lead to a complication called cirrhosis, which is severe scarring of the liver. It can also lead to liver failure and liver cancer.

How long does hepatitis C last?

People with hepatitis C can live many years after diagnosis, but the range varies.

How long does it take for cirrhosis to develop?

About 10-20 percent of patients with hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis within 20-30 years, 3-6 percent will go into liver failure, and 1-5 percent will develop liver cancer.

Diagnosis

Treatment

• Antiviral medications
  Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from your body. The goal of treatment is to have no hepatitis C virus detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you complete treatment. Researchers have recently made significant advances in treatmen…
• Liver transplantation
  If you have developed serious complications from chronic hepatitis C infection, liver transplantation may be an option. During liver transplantation, the surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver. Most transplanted livers come from decease…

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