HCV Facts The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that some four million Americans are infected with HCV. An estimated 8,000-10,000 Americans die annually of complications related to HCV. This figure is expected to triple in the next 10-20 years. HCV is the leading reason for liver transplants. Individuals with HCV should avoid drinking alcohol and/or using recreational drugs Individuals with HCV should be vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B if not already immune. Your Liver and Hepatitis C The liver is the largest internal organ, located behind the ribcage on the right side of the abdomen. It weighs approximately three pounds and is about the size of a football. The liver is responsible for some 500 vital bodily functions. It processes virtually everything you eat, breathe, or absorb through the skin. The liver converts substances you eat and drink into energy and the building blocks for muscles, hormones, clotting factors, and immune factors. It stores many vitamins, minerals, and sugars for later use by the body. Liver cells produce bile, which enables the body to digest food and absorb nutrients. The liver detoxifies substances that are harmful to the body. It can regenerate its own tissue-as much as 3/4 of the liver can regenerate within a few weeks. Hepatitis simply means inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by viruses, toxic chemicals, drugs, or other factors. The most common forms of viral hepatitis include hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and HCV. These three viruses are related only in that they affect the liver.     Permission to reprint this document is granted and encouraged with credit to the Hepatitis C Support Project www.hcvadvocate.org   This webset was designed by Erin using one of the many auto-scripters available at  Chat_Central_Gateway  All rights reserved KENDOC 2005