Use the following websites to educate patients about signs and symptoms, treatment options, and resources for those with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
American Liver Foundation (ALF)
http://hepc.liverfoundation.org
Providing a comprehensive overview of HCV infection, ALF's website goes beyond the definition of the disease and explains how it's diagnosed, treated, and prevented. It also offers questions patients should ask their healthcare providers and offers resources for patient and caregiver information and support, including an HCV infection hotline.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
http://cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/PatientEduC.htm
Direct patients to the CDC's comprehensive factsheets on diagnosis and testing, which are available in English and Spanish. Patients can also find information on how HCV infection effects specific patient populations, such as baby boomers, gay and bisexual men, and injection drug users. Healthcare providers can download professional resources such as "A Guide to Comprehensive Hepatitis C Counseling and Testing" for both primary care and public health settings.
American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
http://patients.gi.org/topics/hepatitis-c
This website organizes information in an inviting format based on patient concerns, such as risk factors, disease progression, and treatment options. A section of frequently asked questions includes a discussion about the risk of sexual transmission. The website also includes a section patients can use to locate a local gastroenterologist and/or liver specialist. For healthcare providers, the ACG offers an HCV infection resource kit that includes patient education materials.
Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI)
http://www.hepfi.org/RESOURCES/Links.html
This source covers hepatitis A through E with an information page dedicated to explaining each disease. The organization grants free access to the 2014 Hepatitis C Drug Guide, which outlines the latest treatment options for the disease. Other free items include an HCV infection factsheet, the "Treating Chronic Hepatitis C: A Review of the Research for Adults" report, and information on clinical trials and financial support.