Posted by COMF [COMF] on March 27, 1999 at 07:50:41 {oRa3VCcycQiJdd0diVwsMWHLQHH2bLg9w}:
In Reply to: *Blood Giveth,Blood Taketh Away posted by Jason on March 26, 1999 at 20:40:19:
Hi, Jason. I see you've found Ginchy Chick's link. Basically, what I was told is that there are different variations of the disease that are designated with different letters. B is very communicable, meaning you can get it from kissing, using some else's toothbrush, or even drinking after them. B is not considered to be as serious as C; people everywhere have it. I was told that in about 50% of cases, the body develops an immunity to it and overcomes it, and in the other cases it resides in the body and the person becomes a carrier, spreading it to others.
In the case of hep C, it is not as easily communicable; apparently, not even sex has been proven to be a means of transmission. It is transmitted through the blood, which is why you get it from either blood transfusions, or sharing a hypodermic needle with an infected user. C is considered to be more dangerous. There are medicines now being used to fight it. I was told that there are two medicines which are given in tandem over a period of three to six months, which are effective against it about 50% of the time. The medicines make the person sick as though he had "the worst case of flu he'd ever contracted," according to my doctor. Here again, she mentioned a success rate of about 50%.
She took blood for a repeat of the tests and for further testing, and made an appointment for me with a gastroenterologist, who presumably will be more experienced with liver diseases. After these test results and my appointment with him in May, I will know where I'm heading with this thing.
We read up on the two medicines I take every day, discovered that one can have adverse effects on the liver, and changed that to another drug. I'm not supposed to take acetaminophen (Tylenol), but aspirin or ibuprofen is okay. And... a standard precaution in any case... use barrier protection during sex.
COMF