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Information Sheet

A New Tool to Diagnose Tuberculosis: The Xpert MTB/RIF Assay

This information sheet discusses the Xpert MTB/RIF Assay for diagnosing TB. It explains that the new test is a nucleic acid amplification test that diagnoses TB in less than 2 hours and can also determine resistance to rifampin, one of the drugs used to treat TB. The information sheet describes how the Xpert MTB/RIF assay works, its advantages, how the results should be interpreted, what it means if RIF resistance is detected, not detected, or is indeterminate. Addresses for additional information are provided.

Hepatitis C: Coping with Your Diagnosis of Hepatitis C

This pamphlet provides information on how veterans can cope when they have been diagnosed with hepatitis C. Some of the most common feelings associated with a diagnosis of hepatitis C are the following: sadness or depression, anger, fear, and anxiety. The pamphlet gives information on how to take care of your emotional needs, including talking about your feelings with your doctor, friends, family members, or other supportive people.

Hepatitis C: Coping with Hepatitis C: Diet and Nutrition

This information sheet describes good nutrition as being of great importance to a person with hepatitis C. It provides guidelines for healthy eating and drinking. It advises the following: Do not drink alcohol, avoid crash diets and/or binges, educate yourself about nutrition, eat a variety of foods, and drink plenty of water. It discusses overcoming barriers to eating well.

Hepatitis C: Liver Biopsy

This information sheet discusses the liver biopsy. It explains a liver biopsy; the risks involved; how a liver biopsy can help, particularly for people with Hepatitis C; how it is done; and what happens after the liver biopsy is done. It also discusses when one should not have a liver biopsy. The information sheet specially emphasizes that a person who takes medicine for hepatitis C might need to have more than one liver biopsy.

State Policies in Brief: Minors' Access to STI Services

This information sheet provides an overview of states’ policies on allowing minors to consent to health care, including care related to sexual activity and testing and treatment for STDs and HIV. It provides a table showing which states allow such consent and which states allow physicians to inform parents their children are requesting STD services.

Hepatitis C: Clinical Trials and Hepatitis C Treatment

This information sheet explains how to get treatment through a clinical trial for the hepatitis C virus. It explains how clinical trials work and what the different types of clinical trials are. It discusses informed consent, cost, how to find clinical trials, and the benefits and risks of participating in a clinical trial.

Hepatitis C: Coping with Hepatitis C: Alternative Treatments

This information sheet urges people with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) who want to try alternative treatments to follow these guidelines. Patients are encouraged to: check with their doctor first; see an expert; and beware of false promises. Talk to people who have been to an alternative treatment expert in the past to be sure the expert has a good reputation, licenses, and certificates. False promises, such as certain herbal remedies, supplements, certain vitamins, or "natural" medicines, can be very dangerous for people with HCV because they may hurt the liver.

Hepatitis C: Telling People You Have Hepatitis C

This information sheet discusses hepatitis C, a viral infection that affects the liver. It answers the questions, why should one disclose a diagnosis of hepatitis C, who should be told and when, and what sorts of things to say. It also states where to get more information on hepatitis C.