Hepatitis C

Dear Nurse Annie,

How do you get Hepatitis C? I heard on the news today that it is terrible and a lot of people have it. I am 28 and try to stay healthy.

Worried, Bo

Dear Bo,

You are right to educate yourself on avoiding contracting Hepatitis C. This Hepatitis can ruin your liver and shorten your life. We need our liver to live a happy life. There is medical treatment and testing, but I think you will agree, it is best to avoid taking the virus into our bodies.

The easiest way to “Catch” this disease is to take the blood of an infected person into your body. Even the tiniest amount of blood can transfer the disease.

So much of what our mothers taught us in basic health practices will help protect us against this blood borne virus. These activities can spread this disease:

1.       Body piercing and tattoos. (Sharing needles.)

2.       Sexual practices.

3.       Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail care items.

I commend your efforts to stay healthy.

Be Well,

Nurse Annie