Your Next Steps

• Step 1: Learn more about your condition.
• Step 2: Talk to your doctor.
• Step 3: Choose your treatment.
• Step 4: Build your support network.

Step 1: Learn more about your condition.

• Learn all you can about hepatitis C right away, so you can make an informed decision when talking with your doctor about how to treat it.
• Learning about available treatments is also important, because your choice of treatment can have a major impact on your life. Fortunately, informative sites like All-About-HepatitisC.com can provide you with useful information.
Visit All-About-HepatitisC.com for:
• An overview of the disease
• Treatment options
• Information on how the disease is spread
• Consequences of the disease if left untreated

Step 2: Talk to your doctor.

When you go in for your appointment, it's important to be prepared so that you can get answers to all your questions. Download a helpful list of questions to discuss with your doctor. Feel free to add other questions to the list. You may find it beneficial to take notes when talking with your doctor, in case you want to refer back to them later. Remember, your doctor should be your primary source of information about your medical condition and treatment.

Step 3: Choose your treatment.

You will have treatment options. Research them. Hepatitis C requires treatment and shouldn't be taken lightly. Prepare yourself and know what you're getting into. Ask yourself the question, "What is important to me?" Is it:

• Your long-term health?
• Protecting your liver?
• Maintaining your lifestyle?
• Your family and friends?

With these thoughts in mind, think about what you want as you choose a treatment. Talk to your doctor about the treatment that's right for you. Not everyone responds to treatment the same way. Everything from your size to genetics can play a part in how you respond to treatment.

Step 4: Build your support network.

Be sure to take advantage of your support resources and put together a list, including co-workers, family, friends, and health care professionals. A strong support network can help you through the therapy. Explain your condition and your treatment to your loved ones and ask them to help you as you deal with your treatment.

Join The Be In Charge® Program, a comprehensive, free program, for a wide range of support and resources. Research the Internet and among friends to find resources and people who can help support you when you need it.