Thursday, February, 09, 2012

Cirrhosis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Liver cirrhosis; Cryptogenic chronic liver disease


Prevention

Don't drink alcohol heavily. If you find that your drinking is getting out of hand, seek professional help.

Measures for preventing the transmission of hepatitis B or C include:

  • Avoid sexual contact with a person who has acute or chronic hepatitis B or C.
  • Use a condom and practice safe sex.
  • Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors or toothbrushes.
  • Do not share drug needles or other drug paraphernalia (such as straws for snorting drugs).
  • Clean blood spills with a solution containing 1 part household bleach to 10 parts water.

References

Garcia-Tsao G, Lim JK; Members of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program. Management and treatment of patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension: recommendations from the Department of Veterans Affairs Hepatitis C Resource Center Program and the National Hepatitis C Program. Am J Gastroenterol. 2009;104:1802-1829.

Schuppan D, Afdhal NH. Liver cirrhosis. Lancet. 2008;371:838-851.

Mehta G, Rothstein KD. Health maintenance issues in cirrhosis. Med Clin North Am. 2009;93:901-915.



Review Date: 12/13/2010
Reviewed By: George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)