Note For friends / family / colleagues of a patient on treatment for Hep C.

I HAVE WRITTEN - AND WILL PUBLISH - SOME ARTICLES WHICH I AM HAPPY TO SHARE FOR GENERAL USE - THESE CAN BE PRINTED, PASSED ON ETC; WHERE THIS IS FINE, I MAKE A CLEAR NOTE OF THAT. I DO ASK THAT YOU LEAVE MY NAME AS AUTHOR. THIS IS MY ANCHOR OF MAKING SOME CONTRIBUTION IN THE WORLD, WHILE I AM AT HOME AND SICK. (ALSO AS THE DAUGHTER OF TWO JOURNALISTS, IT IS INGRAINED IN ME THAT ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP IS RESPECTED AND PLAGARIASM IS TO BE AVOIDED) THANK YOU. EVA. XX

THIS IS WRITTEN AS A SHORT "FLASH CARD" STYLE CRIB SHEET TO SHOW TO COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS, FAMILY, TUTORS, BOSSES ETC., TO HELP EXPLAIN HEP C TREATMENT. PLEASE PRINT AND USE IT IF IT'S HELPFUL.

SHORT NOTE FOR FRIENDS/ FAMILY / COLLEAGUES OF A HEP C PATIENT
This person is on treatment to fight to eliminate the Hepatitis C Virus with which they have been infected. They have a certain percentage of chance for success and have to maximise this by following very particular treatment procedures. They understand the basic facts of this disease and are not putting you at risk of contracting it in any way: please be assured of that. As time goes on, they will learn more about the disease and how to manage treatment; it requires a big commitment over a long period of time. Hepatitis C can be a very serious disease, so they have taken a very positive step in committing to treatment. They may often look and seem fine..... and be wanting to be as cheerful, active and positive as possible. But the virus is a tough one and so treatment is quite radical. Treatment can cause be a lot of side effects. Various changes in bloods, and chemicals they take, will cause fatigue. They are often: sore, very weak and tired, generally uncomfortable, maybe having to suffer sleep or mood disturbances. For some, not all, there can be depression and loss of normal concentration levels. Your friend will tell you if that is the case if they feel they need to. They may also have various strange, uncomfortable sensations, painful joints and muscles, itching, headaches, nauseau, heightened sensitivites to a lot of activity, noise, even foods, taste and smells. ALL THIS IS DUE TO THE VIRUS A& THE MEDS THEY ARE TAKING . For you to read this and understand a bit of what they are experiencing will certainly help them so thank you.
by eva day


p.s. click on this link to access very good Hep C forum - good information and support for patients and their family and friends http://hepcnomads.co.uk/phpBB3/index.php