If you have Hepatitis C or are a carrier, would a cetain event cause it to become active? like alcohol, stress etc. Is there a way to try and avoid having it become active?
2007-01-13 15:36:56 · 4 answers · asked by whattheheck 4 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Infectious Diseases
That's a good question, I don't know of any events that may precipitate active hepatitis, but it is important to further damage the liver with alcohol, certain meds which are liver toxic (the doctor will be aware of these), and even aspirin causes free radicals which damage the liver after years of use. Just follow up the viral load and keep an eye on your symptoms (ie jaundice, fatigue), and take the medication until remission. This is a lifelong disease which can progress to cirrhosis and cancer so it's important to be vigilant.
2007-01-13 16:51:33 · answer #1 · answered by NP 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It does not matter if your a carrier (exposed and the body was able to fight it from becoming chronic active) or chronic active, you still have infectious hepatitis c. The difference between the two is one (if your highly lucky to just be a carrier) is that carrier status means no ongoing damage. Chronic means damage is being done.
I do not know any "carriers" of HCV. Chances are slim to none. (15% have been exposed without becoming chronic at 85%). I would not trust anyone telling me I was just a carrier. I was diagnosed that way in 1994. My symptoms never went away. Come to find out, the test was botched.
HCV also is a disease that can wax and wane, but it never goes away.
It can be aggrivated to a more virulent speed of damaging ability by certain drugs, alcohol and diet.
Cut out all the medications unless you absolutely have to take them. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL, do not even rub it on your skin!
Cut out all protein in the form of red meat. Chicken twice a week. All other sources of protein (and the best kind) would be from flaxseed sprinkled on the food and beans (black is the best).
Drink plenty of water. Cut out all foods containing iron, do not take a multi-vitamin unless it doesn't contain iron. Cut out the salt, use sea salt instead.
Do not use fake sugar. If you need something sweet, have it in moderation (unless that is, you also have Type 2 diabetes-another liver disease that can go hand in hand with hcv!) In this case, you should use Stevia. It is sweet, but it's not sugar. It's not chemically altered to make it sweet. It's a natural sweetner, that tastes just like the stuff in the yellow packet. (pardon my forgetfullness, but after almost 30 years of hcv infection, i have memory issues-especially after being up this late!)
Seek the advice of a gastro. I would contemplate treatement if you are chronic and haven't already, otherwise you could wait until infergon comes out (in phase 4 study now).
2007-01-14 05:18:35 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Wow. I have never thought of that. I have recently researched heb c because of someone I know having been diagnosed with it. It is a disease that effects the liver so I have to assume that drinking any alcohol would aggravate it. You can have it for 20 years without knowing you were ever exposed to it.
I don't know about stress and none of the websites that I have visited has said anything about it. So I guess that isn't a factor.
I would see a hematologist or an oncologist if I were concerned about this. I would think that they would be the best place to start.
Sorry I wasn't more help.
2007-01-13 23:44:57 · answer #3 · answered by nana4dakids 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure if you have stress or alcohol, it can contribute to make you sick and increase the level of infection in your body.
2007-01-14 03:05:13 · answer #4 · answered by no ar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋