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You ’re not alone

LIVING WITH

HEPATITIS C

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In collaboration with CACTUS MontréalPrinted in Canada – HCV/1020A – August 2015

HAVE HEPATITIS C? READ THIS BROCHURE!

And learn more about it.

DON’T HAVE HEPATITIS C? READ THIS BROCHURE ANYWAY!

It might help you avoid it.

M O N T R E A L

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HEPATITIS C WHAT IS IT?

Up to 6 in 7 people develop a long-lasting infection.

Hepatitis C virus

It’s a LIVER DISEASE caused by the hepatitis C virus.

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IN CANADA:

• 7 times more people have hepatitis C than HIV.

HEPATITIS C IT’S MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK!

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I don’t have to worry about hepatitis C. We all got vaccinated as kids.

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Wrong! You can only be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. There’s no vaccine for hepatitis C.

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HEPATITIS C DO I HAVE IT?

THE ONLY WAY TO FIND OUT IS TO GET TESTED. IT TAKES TWO TESTS:

1. The first one is to see if you’ve EVER HAD hepatitis C in your system. This test screens for HCV antibodies.

IF YOU HAVE HAD IT, 2. The second test checks if you STILL HAVE IT.

It’s known as a viral RNA test.

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IF NOT, HOW DO YOU AVOID GETTING INFECTED?

You avoid getting infected by AVOIDING RISKY ACTIVITIES.

Careful  ! You can get re-infected! Don’t play with fire. Don’t take any risks.

Up to 8 in 10 new cases are caused by sharing contaminated injection equipment.

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HEPATITIS C: HOW DO YOU GET IT?

Contaminated drug equipment (needles, pipes, straws, etc.)

Non-sterilized medical or tattooing equipment

VERY RISKY!!

Only through BLOOD-TO-BLOOD contact. Even if the blood is dry, it can stay contaminated for nearly a month.

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If you’re infected, avoid ANY RISK of giving the infection to others until you’ve been treated — for their sake!

Casual, everyday contact (toilet seats, drinking glasses, etc.)

Hugging, kissing, touching, coughing

NO RISK

Sharing personal care items (razors, toothbrushes, etc.)

Sex with an infected person

LESS RISKY!

EXCEPT FOR HEPATITIS A AND B

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!

WHAT DOES IT DO?THE LIVER

The liver is a vital organ. It’s as important as your heart. It filters out all toxins and purifies your blood. It also stores energy. When you have hepatitis C, your liver is sick.

Scars build up in your liver, and this can turn into cirrhosis if you’re NOT treated.

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!

! !

CIRRHOSIS means your liver has so many scars that it’s almost useless. YOU CAN DIE FROM CIRRHOSIS.

You can also end up with liver cancer... WHICH CAN KILL YOU.

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Hepatitis C treatments don’t work. I was treated once. I felt sick for months and wasn’t even cured!

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No way! Treatments are shorter now and easier to take.Come on, let’s go get you tested.

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WHAT TO AVOIDHEPATITIS C

MARIJUANA CIGARETTES ALCOHOL

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WHO CAN HELP ME?HEPATITIS C

CACTUS Montréal 514-847-0067 ext. 100www.cactusmontreal.org

DRUGS: help and referral 514-527-2626Toll-free everywhere in Quebec 1-800-265-2626www.drogue-aidereference.qc.ca

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HEPATITIS C: WHO CAN HELP ME?

Other IMPORTANT numbers:

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HEPATITIS C: WHO CAN HELP ME?

Other IMPORTANT numbers:

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PRESCRIPTIONS, TESTS AND APPOINTMENTS

Last name: First name: Born:

DATE PRESCRIPTIONS, TESTS AND APPOINTMENTS SIGNATURE

2015/06/03 Méthadone 5cc Denis St-Pierre

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DATE PRESCRIPTIONS, TESTS AND APPOINTMENTS SIGNATURE

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PRESCRIPTIONS, TESTS AND APPOINTMENTS

Last name: First name: Born:

DATE PRESCRIPTIONS, TESTS AND APPOINTMENTS SIGNATURE

2015/06/03 Méthadone 5cc Denis St-Pierre

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DATE PRESCRIPTIONS, TESTS AND APPOINTMENTS SIGNATURE

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