Living well with Hepatitis C means adopting a healthy lifestyle. It is important to increase energy and boast your immune system to help the liver renew itself and decrease some of the symptoms of Hepatitis C and the side effects of treatment. To feel your best:

• Avoid alcohol, drugs and smoking
• Avoid taking any medication when not necessary
• Avoid chemicals (cleaning solutions, solvents, pesticides and anything in aerosol containers)
• Exercise regularly
• Don’t overdo it on good days and do nothing on bad days
• Eat a well balanced diet
• Use only herbal products that your health care provider recommends as safe • get enough sleep
• Try meditation, relaxation techniques and massage
• Reduce stress
• Adjust your work or daily schedule
• Get emotional support from others
• Keep your sense of humour
• Keep a positive attitude
• Take part in uplifting activities
• Seek strength from your beliefs and take part in spiritual activities

• Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
• All equipment used for tattooing and piercing must be sterilized
• Any equipment that has been used before (stud guns, needles, jewellery, ink etc.) may be contaminated if the person tattooed or pierced before you was infected
• Ask to see sterilization procedure
• All shops should use an autoclave sterilizer, single-use disposable needles with safe medical waste disposal container
• Make sure the person who does your tattoo or piercing is wearing new latex gloves
• Make sure person washes hands before and after procedure
• Never use ink that has been used by someone else
• Never put left over ink back in bottle; only use capsules that will be thrown out after each use
• When tattooing or piercing is finished, put a compress on the area for a few hours to keep it from getting infected

Co-infection with Hepatitis C and HIV means that a person has both the Hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) – the virus responsible for acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). People with HIV often have Hepatitis C because blood products transmitted both viruses. Having HIV increases the risk of getting symptoms and serious liver disease sooner. This might happen because HIV decreases the immune response thereby letting Hepatitis C to progress more easily.

Is HCV treatment different if I am co-infected?

• Treatment for Hepatitis C is only effective if the HIV is under good control. Generally, good control of HIV is considered to be when blood tests show a CD4 (a surface antigen on helper T-cells very important for resisting viruses) count over 250 and a low or undetectable HIV viral load.
• People who are co-infected have a delayed response to interferon. Your doctor will likely try to measure the effectiveness of treatment by seeing if you have achieved a response (negative HCV RNA) to the Hepatitis C treatment after twelve weeks of therapy.
• Persons with AIDS are more susceptible to infections. Since interferon lowers the count of white blood cells, unusual bacterial infections may occur when on treatment for Hepatitis C.
• Some anti-HIV drugs may cause liver damage. The negative effects on the liver will usually go away if the drug is stopped or the dose is lowered. The least liver-friendly anti-HIV drugs may be ritonavir, d4t/stavudine, and nevirapine.

• Discuss the potential risk of combinations of drugs with your health care provider and pharmacist.
• Have your enzyme levels checked regularly.

Every year more and more Canadians are traveling abroad to popular destinations such as Mexico, Cuba, Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. These are areas of the world with increased risk of exposure to Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Hepatitis infection can occur even in the most luxurious resorts. Hepatitis A could be hiding in your poolside drink or Hepatitis B on medical or spa equipment. Understanding the risks and protecting yourself before going on vacation can give you peace of mind to know you are safe.

To reduce your risk of Hepatitis A while traveling:

• Wash hands frequently
• Drink and brush our teeth with sterilized, bottled or boiled water
• Avoid ice cubes in drinks
• Eat cooked vegetables and avoid salads and uncooked seafood
• Choose fruits you peel yourself
• Avoid food from street vendors

• Adopt safe sex practices
• Avoid tattooing or body piercing
• Do not share razors, toothbrushes and other personal hygiene items
• Do not use IV drugs