Question 1

can people with hepatitis c take the drug bumetanide.?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Yes, although if there is significant liver damage, the Bumex doesn't work as well.

Question 2

should people with hepatitis c get ultrasound screenings?

Accepted Answer

No: Only if they have cirrhosis. One has to have cirrhosis before they get liver cancer. However, i recommend a baseline ultrasound on all patients with hep c. This is not screening, but could pick up cirrhotic nodules or other anomalies at baseline.

Question 3

what makes some people with hepatitis c more likely to get liver cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cirrhosis: Hepatitis c commonly causes chronic liver disease.  Over time, if untreated, and with ongoing inflammation, can lead to scarring (cirrhosis).  Hep c patients with cirrhosis are at increased risk for liver cancer.  Goals of rx are to get rid of virus, stop the inflammation, prevent the scarring, and prevent cancer as well as liver failure.

Question 4

what makes some people with hepatitis c more or less likely to get liver cancer?

Accepted Answer

Cirrhosis: Patients with hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis are at the highest risk of liver cancer (hcc).  Patients with hepatitis C but no cirrhosis are at an extremely low risk for hcc and don't require screening.

Question 5

can people with hepatitis c take aleve (naproxen)?

Accepted Answer

Kidney function: Is more important with aleve (naproxen).  How is your kidney?  Hepatitis c affects your liver function. So, yes, you may use aleve (naproxen), but know your kidney function first, and do so with supervision of your doctor.

Question 6

is there a way to screen people with hepatitis c for liver cancer?

Accepted Answer

MD, SONO, AFP lab: Liver cancer (ca) in hep c generally occurs if there is cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver.  Hep b can get ca without cirrhosis.
Check with md for viral load, genotype, other possible hep viruses, other causes chronic liver disease (autoimmune, iron, copper disease).
May need liver biopsy to decide on need for rx (and type).
Sonogram (no xrays), Alpha feto protein (afp, tumor marker).

Question 7

is there a way to screen people with hepatitis c to check for liver cancer?

Accepted Answer

Yes: The mayo clinic uses alternating CT scan and ultrasound every 6 months in patients.

Question 8

what is hepatitis c?

Accepted Answer

A virus: Hepatitis c is a virus that affects the liver.  It is transmitted by blood contact.  About 20% of people fight it off  quickly.  The rest it keeps attacking the liver for years/ decades.  Some people get fatigue, some don't notice it.   Around 20 years of this attack the liver develop cirrhosis and even failure.  There are treatments available, although work is being done on better options.

Question 9

what causes hepatitis c?

Accepted Answer

Cause of Hepatitis C: This is one of the viruses that cause inflammation and prolonged damage to the liver.  The main viruses are given alphabet labels to distinguish them from each other.

Hepatiits a is food and water born and some oral ingestion.

Hepatitis b is at high risk in blood and body fluid transmission .
And hep c is found predominantly in the drug using populations, especially injectors.

Question 10

why is hepatitis c so bad?

Accepted Answer

Liver Cancer: Not everyone with hepatitis c will get liver cancer or cirrhosis. Alcohol and hep c are a bad combination. Mickey mantle likely developed cirrhosis and liver cancer from this combination. If you do have hep c, you should see a doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Famous people with hepatitis c

A member asked:

Can people with hepatitis c take the drug bumetanide.?

A member asked:

Should people with hepatitis c get ultrasound screenings?

A member asked:

What makes some people with hepatitis c more likely to get liver cancer?

A member asked:

What makes some people with hepatitis c more or less likely to get liver cancer?

A member asked:

Can people with hepatitis c take aleve (naproxen)?

A member asked:

Is there a way to screen people with hepatitis c for liver cancer?

A member asked:

Is there a way to screen people with hepatitis c to check for liver cancer?

A member asked:

What is hepatitis c?

A member asked:

What causes hepatitis c?

A member asked:

Why is hepatitis c so bad?

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