How contagious is Hepatitis C

[deltaman]

My brother age 52 has Hepatitis C and has had it for several years wiht no indications other than some swelling in his feet (maybe not related).

However, he has been very sick for the last couple of weeks and has turned a yellow-green color.   He lives with my mother who is an invalid and me.  He has been quite sick with vomiting and he spits quite a bit.  He has always had a habit of picking at scabs when he gets them, so he usually keeps them for quite a while.  

Now, most of the times he just lays on the couch (which is his bed), but should he have contact with my mother.  Lately, he has not felt well enough to help much, but sometimes he does prepare food and drinks for her.  She also has a   colonostopy which he sometimes must change the bag and clean her.

He does have an appointment with a liver specialist in August, but no insurnace.

Any information about this matter would be appreciated.

  

[prissy502]

i had a question i have a 3yr old son who has been sick quite a bit since he was born and has a feeding tube his father is living with a woman who has hepatitis c what im wandering is wouldnt that put him at a greater risk of catching it with him with an open whole in his stomache.

[NYgirl]

Lord he sounds really sick -personally I would call a different doctor, that is very far away (August!)

[deltaman]

Thanks for the comments.  

He did see a doctor Friday a week ago.  My brother thought he had a kidney infection because he felt so bad.  He did not turn yellow till last week.  
The doctor said it was Hepatitis and he could not do anything to help him, but set up with a liver doctor.  My brother asked if he was going to give him anything and the doctor said no, there was nothing that he could do for him.  So, the doctor's office has gotten him an appointment in Aug for the liver doctor.

[NYgirl]

Did you guys see this?

Woman jailed for deliberately infecting lover with HIV

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=391418&in_page_id=1770

It's a sick sick world.  You can't TRUST anybody if you ask me.

[Kalio1]

I think waiting until August is a long time to wait since it is only June. If he has Hep C, there are things he can do! There is treatment available. It isn't 100% that it clears the virus in everyone but many people do clear it or at least stop the virus from damaging the liver while treatment is going on. It can also improve liver condition. Has he ever had a liver biopsy? Do you know his type of Hep C? I'd see if I couldn't get him in to see someone sooner and I'd pressure the doctor and point out how sick he is feeling. The virus can aso cause depression, so watch for that. Is the liver specialist a Heptologist? Is there a teaching hospital near you? Sometimes you have to push to get timely, educated information and medical care with this illness, there is a lot of prejudice in the medical community and a lot of dowmpaying and ignoring of patients symptoms and quality of life. Maybe he can refer you to someone else that does not require such a long wait or he could possibly see a Gastroentrologist in the mean time. There are also patient assistance programs available for the treatment if cost is a factor, so check bak here for info on it if that becomes an issue .I'd make sure he took a multivitamin each day, WITHOUT iron in it, have him drink LOTS of water. He can try "milk thistle" an herb that is touted to help improve the liver but should check with the doctor first.
His sores are long lasting because the virus can suppress the immune system and make it difficult to heal. He needs to eat, the virus can suppress his appetite, see if he can eat 3 times a day even if it is a small meal. He can stay away from red meat or other liver unfriendly foods, you can google and look for a liver friendly diet. When it is acute like tht it can make you feel REALLY lousy.

[NYgirl]

You certainly are not going to get this by casual contact but something like changing the bag well I'd ask a doctor.  If he were to have a small cut or something that you don't even notice...I know nothing about this but just feel you need to ask a doctor about it.

People with hepatitis C - when they contract it can be VERY VERY ILL. Then it can seem to "go away" but it's not - and then it can come back out again. The EXHAUSTION is not him being lazy by any means.

He sounds very sick and must get to a doctor. Please make sure he does watch meds and does NOT DRINK above all things!

I'd really advise him getting to a doctor ASAP - 99% of the people you see posting in here are in treatment right now, and not because we WANT to be but because we realize we need to be.

[Mister beagle bailey]

I think he neds to see another dr as August is along way off.  The only way you can catch Hep C is from blood to blood contact.  Just make sure he doesn't use anyones toothbrush, nail clippers, etc, anything that could have blood on it.

Good luck and please get him help sooner.

Beagle

[MagTX]

Does your brother have any other meical conditions, such as hypertention (high blood pressure),pulmunary hypertention ( lung problem ), CHF (Congestive Heart Failure), any kidney problems...if any of these conditions sould be the cause of his feet swelling, I would not increase his water in-take excessively, since this would be dangerous in **** with any of the above mentioned health conditions......Please get him checked out further, this Doc is not being aggressive in getting your bro the help he needs.  Persistance will get him the care that he needs, give it a try, it will work.
My thoughts are with you and your family,  

Mag

[tulsatime]

A lot of good advice given. I agree, get him to a doctor sooner. And have him drink lots of water for the swelling in his feet. Take care of yourself also, sounds like you have your hands full. God Bless

[Kalio1]

Hep C is a blood to blood disease, you have to share blood to contract it. They shouldn't share razors, nail clippers and he should be careful of wounds and blood keeping them clean and covered, cean up any blood immediately, disinfect. People live together many years and do not catch it from each other.

Your brother sounds extremely ill. I would think the swelling in his feet IS related, also his extreme fatigue. He needs to get to a doctor fast, his yellowing skin and other symptoms are signs his liver is in great distress. Make sure if he drinks alcohol that he knows he can not drink at all with Hep C, it greatly accelerates his disease. He should be careful of medications too and not take anything that is not liver friendly.