A

Abdomen: the part of the body that lies between the thorax (upper part of the body below the neck) and the pelvis

Acetaminophen: a fever reducer and pain reliever

Acupuncture: the process by which needles are inserted into specific areas of the body to produce loss of sensation in another area

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): an enzyme that is normally found in the liver cells and in the blood; an increase in ALT levels may indicate liver damage

Albumin: a protein manufactured by the liver

Asymptomatic: without symptoms, even though the condition (such as hepatitis C infection) is present

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B

Bile: the yellowish-brown or green fluid secreted by the liver

Bilirubin: a yellow pigment that is excreted in the bile

Blood-borne: carried in the blood; the hepatitis C virus is found in the blood and can be transmitted by blood-to-blood contact

Blood transfusion: transfer of blood or part of the blood (such as red cells) from one person to another

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C

CD4: a type of blood cell that is an important marker of your immune system

Chronic: lasting a long time

Cirrhosis: a condition in which hardened scar tissue replaces normal liver tissue and impairs the ability of the liver to function

Clotting factor concentrates: blood products that contain large amounts of the substances in the blood that allow it to clot

Coinfection: a condition in which a person is infected with both HIV and the hepatitis C virus

Combination therapy: involves the use of two or more drugs that work together

Complete blood count: a test that is used to help detect liver scarring

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D

Dialysis: a way of removing waste products from the blood and excess fluid from the body when the kidneys have failed

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E

Electrolysis: the removal of hair by destroying the hair roots with an electric current

Enzyme: a protein that acts to induce chemical changes in other substances, while it remains apparently unchanged by the process

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F

Fatigue: a state characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment, usually accompanied by a feeling of weariness, sleepiness, or irritability

Fibrosis: a buildup of scar tissue on the liver

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G

Gallbladder: a pear-shaped receptacle on the lower surface of the liver that acts as a storage reservoir for bile

Gastroenterologist: a doctor who specializes in issues related to the gastrointestinal system, including the intestines, stomach, liver, and other organs

General anesthetic: a substance that causes loss of consciousness and loss of the ability to feel pain

Genotype: the genetic constitution of the hepatitis C virus

Gland: an organized mass of cells that functions as an organ to secrete or excrete substances

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H

Hemodialysis: the filtration of soluble substances and water from the blood by diffusion through a semipermeable membrane

Hemophilia: a condition in which a person's blood does not clot

Hepatitis: Latin word meaning inflamed liver

Hepatitis A: inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is spread by contaminated food and water or in conditions of poor hygiene

Hepatitis B: inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is transmitted through sexual or blood-to-blood contact

Hepatitis C: inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is spread through blood or blood products

Hepatologist: a doctor who specializes in disorders of the liver

Histologic response: a decrease in liver inflammation as a result of hepatitis C therapy

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I

Immune system: an intricate complex of cells, molecules, and genetic components that defend the body against infections

Inflammation: any swelling inside the body

Interferon: a substance that has been shown to help fight hepatitis C

Interferon alfa-2a: a natural protein that stimulates the immune system and is used to help fight hepatitis B and hepatitis C

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J

Jaundice: a yellowish staining of the skin and deeper tissues

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L

Liver: the largest gland in the body—located in the upper right side of the abdomen—which acts as a filter to remove toxins (harmful substances) and waste products from the blood

Liver biopsy: a procedure in which a very small sample of tissue is removed from the liver and examined in a laboratory

Liver failure: condition in which a large portion of the liver is damaged, causing severe problems with liver function

Liver function tests (LFTs): the most commonly used way to check for liver problems; these blood tests look for chemicals in the body that are produced when the liver does its various jobs

Liver ultrasound: a test that obtains images of the liver for medical diagnostic purposes

Local anesthetic: substance that causes loss of the ability to feel pain in a particular part or parts of the body but which does not cause loss of consciousness

Lymphocytes: a type of white blood cell

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M

Mental health professional: a medical specialist trained in treating conditions such as depression and anxiety

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P

Pegylation: the process of attaching one or more chains of a substance called polyethylene glycol (also known as PEG) to a protein molecule such as interferon

Platelet: an irregularly shaped disk-like fragment of a larger cell that functions in clotting

Polyethylene glycol (PEG): a waxy solid that is biologically inert. Because the body does not react to PEG, it can help provide a protective barrier around a protein such as interferon, so it can survive in the body longer

Primary care provider: a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) with general training who sees a wide variety of patients; sometimes known as either an internist or a family practice physician

Prothrombin time: a test that measures the blood's clotting ability

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R

Ribavirin: an oral medication that is frequently added to pegylated interferon; when they are used together, it is called combination therapy for hepatitis C

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S

Seroconversion: the development of detectable specific antibodies in the blood (serum)

Spleen: a large organ lying in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side, between the stomach and diaphragm

Strain: a smaller group of very similar viruses within the larger population of a particular virus (such as the A, B, and C strains of the hepatitis virus)

Successful treatment: undetectable virus in the blood 6 months after finishing treatment

Sustained virologic response: undetectable virus in the blood 6 months after finishing treatment

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T

Toxic: harmful to the body

Toxin: a substance that is harmful to the body

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U

Unsterilized: not cleaned in such a way as to make sure bacteria and viruses are not on the surface of the equipment (needle or medical instrument)

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V

Vaccine: a preparation (oral or injection) intended to prevent a disease from occurring

Virologic response: measured by using a blood test to see how much hepatitis C virus is in the blood (this is also known as your viral load)

Virus: a group of infectious agents incapable of growth or reproduction outside of living cells

Virus detection test: a test that looks for the presence of the hepatitis C virus in the blood or body tissue

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