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'Is my liver healthy?' has been produced as one of our ‘easy to read’ resources - ‘easy to read’ can be defined as documents that employ simple, Plain English language, images to support text and accessible design. It sits as part of a suite of accessible resources for people with lower literacy skills. Our easy reads are designed to often be read with a healthcare/youth/support worker and then given to the client to take with them to read later (sometimes with family/carers/friends to help with literacy). They are intended to be a support tool and conversation starter, covering simple info about hep C and always directing the client back to Hepatitis NSW and/or healthcare workers.
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I have hep C Is my liver healthy?
Why do I need to know if my liver is healthy?If you have had hep C for a while, your liver could be damaged.
If your liver is damaged, it can stop working properly and this can make you sick.
How do I find out if my liver is healthy?Speak to your nurse, doctor or clinic about getting your liver checked. This is called a 'liver assessment'
or a 'liver check'
What is a liver check?A liver check is usually done with blood tests and a fibroscan.
A fibroscan is like an ultrasound, it doesn’t hurt.
These tests will show your doctor or nurse how healthy your liver is.
They will also tell the doctor or nurse how much damage there is.
I don’t feel sick, why should I get a liver check?You might have hep C for years and never feel sick. This doesn’t always mean that your liver is healthy.
If you get a liver check every 6 months, you can see if your liver is staying healthy.
What if my liver isn’t healthy?If your liver isn’t healthy, you might think about starting treatment.
Treatments are usually quicker and cure more people than they used to. They will be even better in a few years. Speak to your nurse, doctor or clinic about your options.
What if I don’t want treatment now?You might not be ready, that’s ok.
If you aren’t ready for treatment, think about making changes to your diet, exercise and drug and alcohol use.
To talk about making healthy changes for your liver call the Hepatitis Infoline on 1800 803 990. This call is confidential.
6 MONTHS
TREAT ME
Notes:
Hepatitis NSW is proud to acknowledge Aboriginal people as the traditional owners and custodians of our lands and waters.
Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990www.hep.org.au
PO Box 432 Darlinghurst, NSW 1300 [email protected]
Hepatitis NSW Working towards a world free of viral hepatitis
Want to know more?Call our Hepatitis Infoline 1800 803 990 (free from a landline)
Or look up our website www.hep.org.au for more free brochures
ABN 30 408 095 245 A non-profit health promotion charity funded by the NSW Health Dept. Accredited by the Quality Improvement Council of Australia (QIC). Donations of $2 and over tax deductible
ENTER TO WIN A $100 GIFT CARD! To enter just tell us what you think about this brochure at: www.surveymonkey.com/s/ismyliverhealthy
PRINTED JUNE 2015
