Welcome to the Victoria Chapter of the Hepatitis C society of Canada. We consider ourselves as leaders in hepatitis C awareness, education and support.

What is Hepatitis C?

Quite simply, hepatitis C is a disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) which has infected your liver. A virus is a very small organism that attaches itself to your healthy cells and forces them to make more of the virus. Your body tries to fight viruses with antibodies, but the hepatitis C virus is particularly strong; it will change to fight back against your body's defenses. Unfortunately, antibiotics, which kill bacteria are not at all effective against viruses.

Experts have identified two types of hepatitis C: acute hepatitis C (short-term infection) and chronic hepatitis C , (long-term, progressive infection). These are broken into sub categories:

Chronic hepatitis C can occur on its own and is generally the more serious of the two types. In about 80% of cases, however, acute hepatitis C develops into chronic hepatitis C over time. Both chronic hepatitis C and acute hepatitis C can cause very different degrees of symptoms and liver function damage. In many cases, HCV infection can be treated effectively with medication.

HOW DO I GET HEPATITIS C?

Hepatitis C is spread by blood-to-blood contact. Therefore, anyway that one person’s blood may be in contact with an infected person’s blood will spread the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Some of the most common ways of spreading the virus are: transfusion of blood products, intravenous drug use, tattooing, body piercing, sharing needles. The risk of transmitting HCV through transfusions of blood products has decreased significantly since all blood donors are now screened for hepatitis C.

Is there a treatment for hepatitis C?

Medicines available for hepatitis C include interferon alfa-2a (brand name: oferon-A), interferon alfa-2b (brand names: Intron-A), interferon alfacon-1 (brand name: Infergen), interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin (brand name: Rebetron), and interferon alfa-n1 (brand name: Wellferon). These medicines are given as an injection (a "shot") every day, every other day, or 3 times a week for several months, and sometimes longer. About 1/4 of the people who take interferon for hepatitis C feel better. These medicines don't cure hepatitis C, but they do make people feel better and may prevent future liver problems.

Facts

• Hepatitis C is the most commonly reported blood borne disease in Canada) Not HIV/AIDS.
• There are approximately 300,000 people in Canada infected with hepatitis C, whereas about 20,000 are infected with HIV/AIDS.
• According to researchers it cannot be transmitted by other body fluids unless blood is present in them.
• The early symptoms can be flu like or completely absent. They are low grade fever, nausea muscle and joint aches, headache and sometimes jaundice.
• The number one source of infection is sharing drug paraphernalia in injection drug use(spoons, water, filters, etc.), and in snorting drugs, as well as tattooing (including the ink) and body piercing equipment
• 90% of injection drug users in Victoria are infected with hepatitis C.
• If you are infected with Hep C, that does not mean that you cannot be reinfected with another strain of hepatitis C ? There are many different strains and you can have more than one.
• At least 85% of those infected develop chronic Hep C.
  

Recommendations for Testing Based on Risk for HCV Infection

*Anyone who wants to get tested should ask their doctor.

What Should I Do if I Already Have Hepatitis C?

• Consult your doctor who will monitor your condition and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist.
• Maintain a nutritious diet which is well balanced and low in fat.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Rest when you feel unwell.
• Consider being immunised against other hepatitis viruses for which there are vaccines (ie hepatitis A and hepatitis B).
  

What Are the Symptoms?

• 
  Many people with hepatitis C don't have symptoms.
• However, some people with hepatitis C feel like they have the flu.
• So, you mightFeel tired.
• Feel sick to your stomach.
• Have a fever.
• Not want to eat
• Have stomach pain.
• Have diarrhea.
  

Some people have

• Dark yellow urine.
• Light-colored stools.
• Yellowish eyes and skin.

If you have symptoms, or think you might have hepatitis C, go to a doctor.

We have had many firsts in the year 2000. We have been focusing on improving the negative stigma associated with hepatitis C. We had a dance to raise awareness and to help raise funds. We have added color to most of our printed material while trying to give hepatitis C a facelift.

I hope with all these resources you will be able to find the information you need. If not please send us an email and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Many thanks from the Victoria Chapter, Hepatitis C society of Canada.

The Hepatitis C Society of Canada, is a non-profit, organization dedicated to providing information and support;to hepatitis C patients, families, and friends through grassroots support groups in Canada

Our Victoria chapter are advocates for increased awareness and recognition of the seriousness of HCV in our communities, and our purpose is to help others learn how to live with it, while we all fight for improved research to find effective alternative treatments, cures and vaccines.

Welcome to Victoria - the "City of Gardens". This intimate, sophisticated seaside City is the vacation capital of Canada and the premiere tourist spot in the Pacific Northwest.