After being diagnosed with hepatitis C, there are probably several questions that you have and how you’re going to live with having the disease. The first thing to know is that the disease impacts your liver. It’s spread when you make contact with the blood of a person who is infected with the virus. One or multiple tests might be needed to clearly determine if you have hepatitis C. These can usually be performed at your doctor’s office, but you might need to go to a laboratory where more blood tests can be performed that are a bit more detailed than what the office can provide. It is possible to have a false positive where the test shows that you have the virus but you really aren’t infected. This is when you might need further testing to confirm either way whether you have the virus or not.

It usually takes about three months for you to notice any signs of hepatitis C. It’s also normal for many people not to show any signs of the virus at all until something triggers it to appear. You’ll usually show a positive test result about two weeks after being infected. If you do have the virus, you need to let any sexual partners know as well as anyone you have close contact with, such as patients you care for if you work in the healthcare field. The virus spreads through contact with someone’s blood, which means that you usually won’t contract it simply by kissing someone or engaging in sexual intercourse. Healthcare workers, those born to mothers with hepatitis C, and those who inject drugs are among those who would usually need to be tested, along with people who live in the same home as others who have the virus.

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If you’re pregnant, you should be tested for the virus. If you test positive, then you can pass the virus along to your unborn baby. There are ways that you can prevent spreading the virus to someone else. Avoid sharing any kind of needles with other people. If you know you’re positive for hepatitis C, then don’t donate blood or any organs. Protect your liver by not drinking alcohol and getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. Remember that the virus can’t spread by coughing or sneezing on someone. It’s not like the common cold. Seek the assistance of your doctor if you suspect that you’re showing symptoms of the virus or you’re concerned about contracting the virus.

If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, you can learn more about your treatment options by reaching out to the professionals at Batash Medical in Rego Park. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

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