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.

A comprehensive, empathetic guide for anyone suffering from thisserious liver diseaseApproximately 4 million Americans and 170 million people worldwidesuffer from hepatitis C, a viral liver disease that is treatablebut not curable. It accounts for more than 40 percent of U.S. liverdisease deaths-about 8,000 to 10,000 people annually-and is themost common reason for liver transplantation. This compassionateguide explains how hepatitis C affects the liver and the body andprovides solid advice on today's treatment options-from drugs (andtheir side effects) to transplants and alternative therapies-aswell as tips on dealing with the emotional and financial burdensthe disease brings with it.Nina L Paul, PhD (New York, NY) earned her doctorate in infectiousdisease epidemiology and immunology from Yale University. She hasresearched viruses (human immunodeficiency virus and others) andthe immune system.

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