Living With Hepatitis C:: A Survivor's Guide

A total of 3.9 million people in the United States and more than 170 million worldwide are estimated to have hepatitis C, a viral infection that causes inflammation, injury, and ultimately scarring of the liver. Each year, 8,000 to 10,000 Americans die from liver failure due to hepatitis C--the rest live with it. Living with Hepatitis C presents the facts simply and positively, and removes the misconceptions. For example, this type of hepatitis is not sexually transmitted--if you have hepatitis C, your partner is in no danger from having sex with you, but might get infected by using your razor. You'll learn how infection takes place (blood to blood), how to keep your loved ones safe, how your liver works when it's well, 10 danger signs of liver disease, nutrition guidelines, emotional challenges, financial issues, treatment options, and research trends.

Gregory Everson, Director of Hepatology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, explains hepatitis C with clarity, optimism, and compassion--and without the "docspeak" common in many health books. Coauthor Hedy Weinberg and other people with hepatitis C tell about their experiences frankly, bringing a personal flavor to this helpful and informative book. --Joan Price