| Dedication |
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iii | |
| Introduction |
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ix | |
| Foreword |
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xi | |
| Part 1: The Basics |
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1 | (14) |
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Questions 1-8 provide background information for understanding hepatitis C, including: |
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Can you give me an overview of the liver and liver disease? |
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Who should be screened for hepatitis C? |
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| Part 2: Transmission |
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15 | (10) |
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Questions 9-17 address concerns about how hepatitis is transmitted and prevention, including: |
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What are the most common risk factors for hepatitis C? |
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How can I prevent transmission of hepatitis C to other people? |
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Can hepatitis C be spread through sexual contact |
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| Part 3: Natural History and Symptoms |
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25 | (10) |
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Questions 18-24 discuss symptoms and other factors associated with hepatitis C, including: |
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What is the natural history of hepatitis C? |
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What are the signs and symptoms of hepatitis C infection? |
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Can the liver worsen while someone feels well? |
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| Part 4: Testing and Evaluation |
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35 | (24) |
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Questions 25-36 cover available tests and methods for evaluation, including: |
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Can you give me an overview of testing and evaluation? |
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What is a hepatitis C antibody test? |
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What is a direct test for hepatitis C virus? |
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| Part 5: Treatment |
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59 | (24) |
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Questions 37-50 explore treatment options and choices, including: |
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Can you give me an overview of treatment? |
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Can hepatitis C be cured, and how is "cure" defined? |
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What are the potential benefits of undergoing treatment for hepatitis C? |
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| Part 6: Treatment Side Effects |
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83 | (20) |
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Questions 51-62 address common side effects associated with treatment, including: |
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Are there any treatment side effects? |
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What are the side effects of interferon therapy? |
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What are the side effects of ribavirin therapy? |
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| Part 7: Special Situations |
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103 | (10) |
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Questions 63-68 help patients cope with special situations, including: |
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What if I have a new case of acute hepatitis C infection? |
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Is acute hepatitis C treated differently? |
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What if I have mild kidney disease or even kidney failure? |
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| Part 8: Complementary and Alternative Medicine Options |
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113 | (10) |
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Questions 69-79 explore the role of complementary and alternative medicine options, including: |
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What is the role of complementary and alternative medicine options in hepatitis C? |
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What can you tell me about milk thistle? |
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What can you tell me about licorice root? |
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| Part 9: Cirrhosis |
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123 | (16) |
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Questions 80-85 provide answers about cirrhosis as it relates to hepatitis C, including: |
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How is cirrhosis diagnosed? |
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What are the signs and symptoms of cirrhosis? |
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| Part 10: Liver Cancer |
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139 | (10) |
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Questions 86-91 answer common questions about liver cancer, including: |
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Can you give me an overview of liver cancer and hepatitis C? |
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What are the signs and symptoms of liver cancer? |
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Who should be screened for liver cancer and how? |
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| Part 11: Liver Transplantation |
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149 | (14) |
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Questions 92-98 cover the risks, recurrence, and treatment before and after a liver transplant, including: |
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Can you give me an overview of liver transplantation for hepatitis C? |
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How are patients ordered on the transplant list, and what is the MELD score? |
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What are the risks of surgery, and what is the difference between deceased donor and living donor liver transplantation? |
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| Part 12: The Future |
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163 | (4) |
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Questions 99 and 100 offer a candid account of the current rate of cure and reasons for tremendous optimism for the future, including: |
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Are there any new treatment options for hepatitis C? |
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What should I expect in the future? |
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| Resources |
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167 | (4) |
| Glossary |
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171 | (6) |
| Index |
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177 | |
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