|
As mentioned in…
"The Best Time of Your Life — What you need to know and do to stay healthy"
Hepatitis C is most commonly passed from person to person by infected blood. Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by a virus.
What are the symptoms?
Most people who get Hepatitis C have no symptoms at all when they are first infected. Those who do usually feel only slightly ill.
| The most common symptoms: |
- Fatigue
- Muscle and joint aches
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal Discomfort
- Dark urine or light-colored stool
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes)
|
Of course, these could be symptoms of other illnesses as well. If you have any of these symptoms and they last more than a few days, see your health care provider. If you become jaundiced, see your health care provider right away.
How is Hepatitis C prevented?
Don't share needles for injecting drugs, tattooing, taking steroids, piercing or any other reason.
- Avoid contact with other people's blood.
- Don't share toothbrushes, razors or other personal articles that might contain blood.
Hepatitis C and Sex:
Hepatitis C can be passed during sexual intercourse, but this is not the most common way to pass the virus.
The same steps that protect you from HIV (AIDS), herpes, Hepatitis B and other sexually transmitted disease (STD) will also protect you from the small chance you might get Hepatitis C from sex.
| Your choices include: |
- Don't have sex.
- Have sex with only 1 lifetime partner, who only has sex with you.
- Have sex that does not put in contact with someone else's blood, semen or vaginal fluids.
- Use a new latex condom every time you have sex.
|
This information has been provided through the services of Planned Parenthood of Mahoning Valley.
|
