What if I don't feel like eating?
Sometimes hepatitis C or the treatment for the disease may make it difficult for you to eat. This may be because you have no appetite, your sense of taste has changed, or you feel nauseated. For tips on how to improve your eating habits, read the section on Overcoming Obstacles to Eating.

Why do I always feel tired?
One of the telltale signs of hepatitis C is chronic fatigue. The liver is responsible for storing energy that is required for the body to function. If the liver is damaged, the energy you need to perform your activities of daily living may not be available. This can lead to fatigue. For tips on dealing with tiredness, read the section on Coping with Fatigue.

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How can I avoid spreading hepatitis C to my family?
Hepatitis C is spread by exposure to HCV-infected blood. To avoid spreading hepatitis C, you should minimize these types of exposures. Don't share any instrument that can carry blood on it, such as toothbrushes, nail clippers, razors, etc. If you have any cuts or open wounds, treat them immediately and cover them with the appropriate type of bandage. If you get cut with any household instrument such as a knife or can opener, treat the cut and sterilize the instrument (by boiling it in water) before using it again.

Can I still have sex?
The chances of spreading hepatitis C through sexual intercourse are small but this is a source of infection in about 15% of cases. If you have hepatitis C, it is a good idea to use barrier methods of contraception (eg, condoms, diaphragms). Remember, oral contraceptives do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

Some therapies for chronic hepatitis C (that is, those that contain ribavirin) are extremely harmful to an unborn child. If you are being treated with these therapies and you are sexually active, it is extremely important that you avoid pregnancy (during treatment and for 6 months after treatment) using at least two forms of effective contraception.

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Can I breastfeed my baby if I have hepatitis C?
There is no evidence that hepatitis C can be spread from mother to child through breastfeeding. However, if you are undergoing treatment for hepatitis C, the drugs you are taking may not be safe during breastfeeding. Ask your doctor if it's safe for you to continue breastfeeding while you are being treated.

Can I still drink socially?
If you have chronic hepatitis C, your liver has probably been damaged. Alcohol can make hepatitis C progress much more quickly and can lead to further liver damage. It is important to give your liver a chance to heal so it is probably a good idea to give up alcohol completely. In social situations, try to drink nonalcoholic beverages instead.

Should I tell my dentist that I have hepatitis C?
It is important to tell your dentist and other health professionals that you have hepatitis C. Your dentist needs to take precautions since oral surgery and even routine dental procedures can involve exposure to blood and therefore has the potential to spread hepatitis C. Similarly, if you are having blood drawn for any purpose, inform the phlebotomist (the person who draws your blood) that you have hepatitis C so that he or she can take the necessary precautions to avoid needlestick injuries.

What if I or my partner gets pregnant during therapy?
If you or your partner gets pregnant during therapy, it is urgent that you inform your doctor right away. Combination therapy that includes ribavirin can be extremely harmful and even fatal to an unborn child. Your doctor will discuss your options with you.

Should I get any vaccinations for other diseases if I have hepatitis C?
It is recommended that people with hepatitis C get vaccinated for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Hepatitis C infection does not increase your chances for getting hepatitis B or hepatitis A. However, having both infections at the same time may make hepatitis C infection worse.

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Can I still hug and kiss my family members if I have hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C cannot be spread through physical contact that does not involve exposure to blood so it is all right to kiss or hug your family members.

Can I still spread the disease even if I am being treated?
It is still not known whether treatment reduces your chance of spreading the disease. However, if the amount of virus in your blood is still undetectable 6 months after completing treatment (that is, you have a sustained virologic response), your chances of spreading hepatitis C is extremely low.

What if I can't make it through treatment?
Treatment for chronic hepatitis C can be difficult. Therapy lasts for 1 to 2 years. But clinical experience has shown that the more patients stick with treatment, the better their chances of responding to treatment. So it is important to follow your doctor's instructions for the treatment regimen carefully and avoid missing doses. If you are having difficulty with your treatment talk to your doctor.

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What questions should I ask my doctor?
Hepatitis C infection is a serious matter. For this reason, it is in your own best interest that you learn to ask your doctor appropriate questions about HCV, and educate yourself about the disease and its treatment. There are a number of questions you might want to ask your physician, such as:

• What is my virus level and genotype?
• Should I be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B?
• Do I need a liver biopsy?
• Do I need to be treated?
• Do I have any other conditions that will complicate therapy?
• Do I have sufficient liver scarring to be at risk for liver cancer? If so, how should I be monitored?
• Is peginterferon/ribavirin treatment right for me?
• Do you recommend that I be treated with a weight-based or fixed dose of pegylated interferon?
• How long will my treatment last?
• How often do I need to be seen?
• What tests do I need to take? Will these tests be repeated? How often?
• What side effects can I expect? Whom do I contact in your office about any side effects I am having? Should I contact you directly?
• What changes should I make in my everyday life?
• What other medications can I take and which should I avoid?

The more questions that you ask, the more you will learn about hepatitis C, and the better prepared you'll be to fight this disease. Additional questions can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section under the portion of this website designated as "Living with Hepatitis C."

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