1. Order Your Drinks Virgin
If you have hepatitis C, you must maintain a healthy liver. Since your body uses the liver to process alcohol, you should stop drinking it. If you're a mixed-drink fan, ask your waiter to mix a virgin version of your favorite beverage. Wine drinkers should switch to grape juice, and beer drinkers should try water or cider. Although nonalcoholic beers are available, many still contain low levels of alcohol.
2. Cull Your Medicine Cabinet
Some medications can harm the liver. If you are diagnosed with hepatitis C, ask your doctor for a list of medications you should avoid. Acetaminophen is sometimes safe in small doses, but some patients will not be able to tolerate it. Iron supplements can have an adverse effect on the liver as well. Notify all of your health care providers about your disease, so that you aren't prescribed medicines that can harm your liver.
3. Keep Your Wounds Covered
Hepatitis C can be passed along through blood contact. Keep your wounds clean and avoid donating blood. Don't share anything that can expose your blood, such as a razor or toothbrush. Consider having a bracelet made that indicates you havehepatitis C.
4. Empty Your Schedule and Get Extra Rest
Hepatitis C can make you tired. Rather than wearing yourself out with endless appointments, reduce your schedule to just a few tasks a day. You may find that the disease will keep you from working a full-time job, so you should ask your employer whether part-time work or telecommuting is possible. If you can trim your workload, reduce your nights out on the town, keep travel to a minimum and go to bed early.
