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