Hepatitis C is a virus that is spread by blood to blood contact- mainly through shooting drugs or having sex that involves blood.

Shooting....basically hepatitis C is a tough little sucker and it's a lot more infectious than HIV. When HIV is exposed to air it dies within 30 seconds- hep C can live in dried blood for up to 4 days. That means it can live in a rig, in a cotton/filter, in water used to mix a shot or rinse a work, on a tourniquet, on a table where you prepare your hit, on other people's fingers who may be hitting you, in a spoon/cooker, or on an alcohol pad. Bleach doesn't kill hep C.

Fucking....It's no news flash that sometimes good sex or marathon sex means lotsa friction --friction can mean tiny tears on the schlong, in the asshole or gums and increase the possibility of blood getting mixed in with spit and cum. If you or your partner have an STD with sores that also makes a direct opening into the bloodstream- so there is risk there, too. It is good to get yourself checked for STDs regularly, ask fuckbuds if they've had their shit checked- and have a good look at a guys tool and/or hole before going there. Using a ton of lube can help reduce friction and (of course) using condoms is the safest. Put condoms on sex toys, they never mind.

Hepatitis C infects the liver cells and can cause damage over time.

Having hepatitis C and HIV together can impact a person's ability to take medications because meds are processed through the liver. For HIV+ people, the liver is of major importance because it processes many of the drugs used to treat HIV. Unfortunately, the HIV medications can cause hepatotoxicity (liver damage), which can prevent the liver from functioning properly. In addition, HIV+ people may have liver damage or stress on their livers caused by: other prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), repeated use of antibiotics, exposure to chemicals, AIDS related opportunistic infections, Hepatitis A or B, and damage due to alcohol or drug use.

Slowing down- thinking about BLOOD-and stopping hepatitis C is equally important for guys who don't have hep C and guys who do. If you have hepatitis C it is important to know that YOU CAN GET INFECTED more than ONE TIME with other 'families' of the hepatitis C virus. We know the jury is out on getting re-infected with HIV and a lot of poz guys choose to have unprotected sex with other poz guys- but there is 100% for sure proof that getting exposed to hepatitis C again can mean carrying different families of the virus-possibly meaning more liver damage and limiting treatment options.

The liver is one of the most important organs in the body- right up there with the heart. The liver is a serious multi-tasker. It is busy converting nutrients into chemicals and proteins that your body needs to stay healthy, storing nutrients from the foods you eat and releasing them as needed (ever wonder how you keep going even if you haven't eaten in awhile- its your liver!), breaking down drugs, alcohol and toxins, removing waste from your blood, producing enzymes and bile that help you digest food, producing proteins needed by the immune system to help your body resist infection.

Here are some things you can do for liver health and to help stop hep C:

• If you or friend you love inject and need clean works, call Jahaira Fajardo and become a secondary syringe exchanger. This means you meet up with a needle exchange worker, get what you need to shoot safe, and get enough supplies to hook up your friends so they have what they need too. Interested? Call Jahaira at (415) 241-5130.
• Get all the stuff you need to shoot clean at the exchange. Check out the schedule tucked in this zine! A lot of exchanges have nurses on site and HIV testing available too- exchange volunteers can answer question you may have about shooting safer or hep C.
• Can't get to the exchange? Buy new rigs at Walgreens. IT IS 100% legal in San Francisco to buy a ten pack WITHOUT a prescription.
• Try to DRINK A LOT OF WATER EVERY DAY.
• Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. (See the pamphlet tucked in the zine for free or low cost vaccination and testing in SF. Getting hepatitis A on top of hep C can cause liver failure (which could kill you) hepatitis A is preventable by vaccine. Think about it :-)
• If you can, try to eat good foods and avoid super processed food and sugar (basically everything that tastes good- no just kidding- but fast food and sugary stuff is bad news for the liver)
• Try to avoid taking a lot of acetaminophen. This means Tylenol, over the counter cold meds, and unfortunately- some downer pills (like valium, vicoden etc.) that can help a person come down.
• Try to avoid drinking booze. People with hepatitis C are more sensitive to the toxic effects of alcohol. Drinking as few as 1-2 drinks per day can damage the liver, allowing hepatitis C to progress faster.
• Avoid exposure to chemical fumes, gasoline fumes, etc. Use the least toxic products (cleaning products, health and beauty aids, etc) available in your home and on your body.
• Get support. Most people with hepatitis C have no symptoms, but others feel very fatigued or depressed. Having hepatitis C can be scary and overwhelming. Mentoring and support groups may help you cope and get you connected with people who can be there for you. If you want info on SF support groups call Terry at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation 487-8043.

Want more info on hepatitis C?

OASIS Clinic, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization located in Oakland, CA. The primary mission of O.A.S.I.S. is to provide low-cost, subsidized medical care, clinical research studies, and provision of and/or access to social and vocational rehabilitation services for medically marginalized former or current drug and alcohol users. They're an especially good source of information for methadone patients with hepatitis C. New! They have a hepatitis discussion board. Go to their home page and click on the link, "discussion groups." oasisclinic@sbcglobal.net Phone: (510) 496-0189, 1-800-282-1777.
www.oasisclinic.org

Harm Reduction Coalition
The Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC) is committed to reducing drug-related harm among individuals and communities by initiating and promoting local, regional, and national harm reduction education, interventions, and community organizing. HRC fosters alternative models to conventional health and human services and drug treatment; challenges traditional client/provider relationships; and provides resources, educational materials, and support to health professionals and drug users in their communities to address drug-related harm.

The Harm Reduction Coalition believes in every individual's right to health and well-being as well as in their competency to protect and help themselves, their loved ones, and their communities.
www.harmreduction.org

HCV Advocate/Hepatitis Support Project
The HCV Advocate newsletter is a valuable resource designed to provide the hepatitis C community with monthly updates on events, clinical research, and education. The site has personal stories and tons of information.
www.hcvadvocate.org/

The Hepatitis Education Project is a non-profit corporation chartered in the state of Washington to provide educational materials and support groups for hepatitis patients and their families. They run the Hepatitis Resource Center, a place for patients, family members, friends, social service providers and anyone who has questions about hepatitis.
www.scn.org/health/hepatitis/

HCV Prison Support Project now has a toll free number,1-866-HEPINFO (1-866-437-4636), available to HCV + and co-infected prisoners who have just been released from prison. They will be providing information on Medicaid, hepatitis C and HCV support. Prisoners are not able to make toll free numbers from prison, but we are hoping that this number will provide them with valuable information when first getting out of prison along with the extra support they will need. The HCV Prison Project conducts educational hepatitis C workshops inside prison, puts out a newsletter on hepatitis C and sends out information packets - free of charge. To request newsletter or information packet send request to: Hepatitis C Awareness Project, PO Box 41803, Eugene, OR 97404.
www.hcvprisonnews.org

HIV and Hepatitis
The website's objective is to create a quality online publication that provides accurate, timely and cutting-edge information about treatment for HIV/AIDS, chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and co-infection with HIV/HCV and HIV/HBV.
www.hivandhepatitis.com

Project Inform
Project Inform is a national nonprofit, community based organization working to end the AIDS epidemic.
www.projectinform.org/fs/hcv.html

The Body
An AIDS and HIV Information Resource
www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Hepatitis/

National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project (NATAP)
NATAP's web site is a leader in up-to-the minute HIV treatment information, covering the latest in drug development and research, comprehensive conferences, etc.
www.natap.org

The Hepatitis Information Network
Contains links to a variety of hepatitis B information and news.
www.hepnet.com/hepb.html