Hepatitis C: Information for children

Liver

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a virus that may harm your liver. People get hepatitis C from the blood of a person who already has the virus. Hepatitis C does not usually make children feel sick, but it is important to have regular checkups to make sure your liver stays healthy. This is because sometimes a person’s liver can be sick without making them feel sick.

What is the liver?

Your liver is an important organ of your body that does many jobs. Your liver helps to clean your blood, helps you to use the energy in the food you eat and helps you grow.

What is a virus?

A virus is a type of germ that can cause illness or disease. Some viruses are easy to get and fight off, such as the ones that cause a cold. Other viruses are hard to get and fight off, such as hepatitis C.

How did I get hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is carried in your blood. To get hepatitis C, the blood of someone who has hepatitis C had to get mixed into your blood. Some children get hepatitis C from their mom, but it happens rarely. This can happen if the mom already has hepatitis C and some of her blood gets mixed with baby’s blood around the time the baby is born. There is nothing a mom can do to prevent passing hepatitis C to her baby. Other children may get hepatitis C from coming into contact with needles or other equipment that have the virus on them. This is why it is important not to touch needles or other sharp objects that you may find in a park or elsewhere.

Do I risk giving hepatitis C to someone else?

This is not likely to happen, but it is still important that you do not let anyone else touch your blood or that you do not touch anyone else’s blood either. You should not share your toothbrush with anyone. Sometimes there might be tiny amounts of blood on it that you cannot see. When you are older, if you use a razor for shaving, you should not share it with anyone either. You cannot give someone else hepatitis C by playing with them, sitting next to them at school, hugging them or kissing them.

Will my hepatitis C ever go away?

For most people, hepatitis C does not go away on its own. It might stay with you for your whole life. There are medicines that can cure hepatitis C that your health-care team may offer to you. Most people will receive medicine to cure their hepatitis C at some point in their lifetime. To stay healthy when you have hepatitis C, it is important to take care of yourself and your liver.

How do I take care of my liver?

The best way to take care of your liver is to eat healthy foods and to be active. It is also important to see your doctor or nurse at least once a year for a check-up. You may need to have blood work done or a picture of your liver (called an ultrasound) so that you know your liver is healthy. When you are older, you need to be careful to avoid things that might harm your liver, like too much alcohol or certain medications.

Is there anything I should not do because of hepatitis C?

No. You can still go to school and take part in activities, just like your friends do.

Who do I have to tell about my hepatitis C?

People who should know about your hepatitis C are your doctors, nurses and dentist. Other people do not have to know about your hepatitis C unless you want them to. You decide who you tell about hepatitis C. If you tell someone about hepatitis C, you have to teach them about it. It is a good idea if you talk to your mom, dad or the person that takes care of you before you tell anyone about your hepatitis C so they can help you explain it properly.