Hepatitis is a life-threatening , blood borne disease of the liver. It is caused by a virus, and is far more easily transmitted than HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. It is suspected that there are, at present, more than 4.5 million people in the United States that are infected with hepatitis C, and more than 300 million round the world-far more people than are infected with HIV. Hepatitis C is rapidly becoming a global epidemic, and this makes hepatitis C one of the greatest public health threats faced in this century, and perhaps one of the greatest threats to be faced in the next century.

There can be several symptoms or as few as none. It is usually characterized by the inflammatin of the liver, usually producing swelling and, in many cases, permanent damage to liver tissues. Liver disease strikes at the very heart of the body's functions and processes, and can be life-threatening. As you all know it is impossible to live without a liver. A number of different agents can cause hepatitis,including infectious diseases, chemical poisons, drugs and alcohol. VIRAL HEPATITIS C (HCV)refers to a disease caused by a specific virus. Hepatitis C can lead to serious,permanent liver damage, and in many cases, death.

It was such shock to find out that my daughter had contacted hepatitis C that it caused me to want to know more about it. Mary had gotten this virus thru 2 blood transfusions about 28 years ago when she gave birth to her son. At that time she hemorrhaged and thus the transfusion. It wasn't until about 5 months ago that she was diagnosed.

She was immediately placed on INFERGEN 9m and then came the side effects. WOW, she felt miserable. When this happened i was determined to find out more about HEPATITIS C AND INFERGEN.

Since i am a retired Registerd Nurse I had no problem giving injections, however, Mary decided that she was going to learn to do it herself. Her doctor and nurse were very supportive and a video was given to us from which to learn.

It was decided that she would start her shots in her thighs and then go to her abdomen.

The main thing at the time of the first injection was malaise. Mary had absolutely no energy, headaches, slight temperature elevation, aches in muscles and a strong desire to sleep which was good as she slept thru her discomfort.

The hepatitis c (HCV) virus was identified in 1989. Unlike the other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis C is very difficult for the immune system to overcome. Hepatitis C is a one of a special set of viruses, called RNA viruses, which can outmanuever the human immune system. They do this by mutating rapidly, often evolving faster than the immune sysem can develop an effective response to them. Infections by RNA viruses like Heptitis C are hard to beat -and can be very dangerous.

As a result, most Hepititis C infections (80-90%) become chronic and led to liver disease, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissues) and liver failure. Heptitis C infrction is typically mild in its early stages, and it is rarely recognized until it hs caused significant dmage to the liver.

The cycle of disease from infection to significant liver damage can take 20 years or more.

There is no vaccine aginst Hepitis C at this time. Without prompt intervention to care for infected populations and prevent the spread of disease, the death rate from hep C will surpass that from AIDS by the year 2000- and it can only get worse.