Get tested. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommend that people at risk, including spouses and close contacts of infected people, be tested for HCV infections. People with HCV should not donate blood, semen, organs or tissue. They should not share needles, toothbrushes, razors, nail files, tweezers or other instruments that can become tainted with blood. In addition, open wounds should be covered. Sex partners of infected people should be informed about the possible risk of infection. Safe sex practices, including using latex condoms, may be recommended, though this is an area of controversy among health professionals since sexual transmission?especially between long-term, monogamous partners?is low.

What about casual contact?

There is no evidence that the HCV virus can be spread through casual contact such as hugging, sharing meals or utensils. There is also no evidence that HCV is transmittable from mother to infant through breast milk.

Can I give my sexual partner Hepatitis C?

Safer sexual practices are strongly encouraged in persons with multiple sexual partners, including the use of latex condoms. In monogamous long-term relationships, transmission is rare. Although HCV-positive individuals and their partners should be informed of the potential for transmission, there are insufficient data to recommend changes to current sexual practice in persons with a steady partner. It is recommended that sexual partners of infected patients should be tested for the antibody to HCV.

Should my family be tested for Hepatitis C?

Ask your doctor. The likelihood is small that hepatitis C will spread to a family member; however, testing may ease a person's mind. Treatment is not generally prescribed for children with hepatitis C. While the children are being tested, screen for Hepatitis B and get everyone immunized if necessary.

How does alcohol affect the liver?

Alcohol is a toxic chemical that is mostly metabolized by the liver. When the liver metabolizes large quantities of alcohol over a period of time, the cells of the liver can change. For example, the cells may swell, scar or die. Cellular changes such as these, can lead to a variety of liver problems, ranging from an enlarged, fatty liver to cirrhosis, accompanied by liver failure. The degree of liver damage generally correlates to the quantity and duration of alcohol consumption. After repeated toxic insults from alcohol, the liver may no longer function properly. It may have a difficult time producing materials the body needs to be healthy, such as blood clotting factors, thus making an individual more susceptible to infections and diseases.

How can a drinker, especially a problem drinker, abstain from alcohol use after learning he or she has Hepatitis C?

Many people drink alcohol socially or to relieve stress. Mineral water and fruit juices can be substituted for alcoholic beverages at parties and social functions. Stress management techniques that do not involve alcohol can be adapted, such as regular exercise, yoga, or a meditation routine.

The transition from social drinking to problem drinking can be very subtle, and sometimes people do not realize they have grown addicted to alcohol until they try to stop drinking and find that difficult. In the United States, approximately 9% of adult males and 4% of females are addicted to alcohol.

How can an HCV-infected person with an alcohol addiction get help?

Tell your physician that you need help to stop drinking. Your physician can provide referrals. Depending on the severity of your drinking problem, you may be advised to enter a detoxification treatment program designed to monitor and assist your withdrawal from alcohol. These programs also evaluate your physical and mental health, as well as any psychosocial, occupational and family stresses. If for example, depression is diagnosed, an alcohol-free treatment plan can be created to help you manage that condition.

There are also many social support programs available, which your physician can tell you about. For example, Alcoholics Anonymous and other national programs are designed to provide social support to people committed to stop drinking.

The entire family can benefit from being educated about alcoholism and adapting healthy, alcohol-free ways to communicate and deal with stress. Social support programs, such as Al-Anon and Alateen, are available to family members and friends of problem drinkers.