Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. It can cause your liver to swell, which can make your liver not work properly. Having hepatitis C for a long time can lead to other problems such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, or liver cancer.

You can get hepatitis C when blood from someone with hepatitis C enters your body. This can happen if:

• You share any of the following with someone who has hepatitis C:
  • Needles or syringes
  • Tattoo or piercing tools that weren’t sterilized properly
  • Razors or toothbrushes
• You have unprotected sex with someone who has hepatitis C
• Your mom had hepatitis C when she gave birth to you

Hepatitis C is treated with medications that slow or stop liver damage. There is no vaccine to prevent it, but it can now be cured. Most people will have a combination of different antiviral medications to help fight the hepatitis C virus, such as oral medications that prevent the virus from making more copies of itself.

• American Liver Foundation
  Phone: 1-800-465-4837
  liverfoundation.org
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Phone: 1-800-232-4636
  cdc.gov
• Hepatitis Foundation International
  Phone: 1-800-891-0707
  hepatitisfoundation.org

Helping you stay on track

The Optum^® Adherence Texting program reminds you to take your medication on time and helps you have a role in managing your health. The program sends text messages with:

• Medication reminders
• Feedback on adherence
• Inspirational quotes