I am a medical lab technologist and I discovered that I had Hepatitis 6 months ago. Over the years I had several needlesticks from my job and had never been tested. I knew that I was previously tested positive for Hep B (antibodies but not the virus) and asked my doctor during my annual physical exam to be tested for Hep C. The Antibody test came back positive and then I was tested for the acutal virus in my blood, which also came back positive.

My liver function tests have always been normal so far. My doctor said as long as my blood tests were in the normal range, doctors in Canada would not even consider me for treatment, as the side effects are so bad and there is only a 50% chance of eradicating the virus from my blood.

I am 55 yrs old and still work a full time job with standby and very irregular hours. I get very tired but maybe that is normal for this age.

I try to eat a very well balanced diet, and I do exercise, especially pilates and some yoga.
The one lifestyle change I have had to make was giving up drinking alcohol, although for special occasions, I may have one glass of wine. Drinking never really agreed with me physically as I always got headaches and very fatigued from drinking. Maybe that is an effect from the virus, as I have no idea how long I have been living with this disease.

Otherwise, I am in good health, only thyroid medication for an underactive thyroid (which I have read, can also be attributed to Hep C.) I discovered that I was hypothryoid in 1990.
I have learned to accept the uncertainty the future holds for me.

My doctor wants my liver function tested every three months and we shall go from there. So far, so good. I beleive a healthy,active lifestyle does help, physically and mentally.