Black folks have higher rates of chronic hepatitis C infection, putting caregivers at risk of contracting the disease
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic liver disease, often hepatitis C-related, is a leading cause of death among persons ages 45 to 64 within the African-American community. African Americans additionally have a substantially higher rate of chronic hepatitis C infection than Caucasians and other ethnic groups.
Hep C Redefined, a hep C prevention and advocacy website, has written numerous articles on safe techniques caregivers ought to utilize when in a situation that is potentially high risk for contracting hep C. Protecting yourself from hep C will safeguard your health and make you a more effective caregiver. Follow these three easy suggestions to protect yourself and others.
Take extra care when cleaning items that might have been exposed to infected blood:
Wear gloves when cleaning or handling anything that may have come in contact with blood (i.e., soiled clothes, tissues).
Bandage any cuts or wounds on your hands before handling items exposed to infected blood.
Use bleach to clean items that may have infected blood on them; the hep C virus can be killed with a cleaning mixture that is one part bleach to 10 parts water.
Wash hands often and thoroughly:
Always use soap and wash carefully for approximately 15 to 30 seconds.
Get vaccinated for hep A and hep B:
Although there is currently no vaccine for hep C, there are vaccines available for hep A and hep B. Sometimes, people with hep C might be co-infected with another type of hepatitis against which they can be protected by a vaccine.
Ask your health-care provider about the vaccine series.
