Hepatitis C is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can produce very serious liver conditions such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus which spreads via blood, primarily through blood transfusions. This condition can be either acute or chronic, affecting millions of people globally. This article offers a comprehensive assessment of Hepatitis C including, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention methods.
What is Hepatitis C ?
Hepatitis C is a disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus and leads to infection in a person. The virus infects the liver and causes inflammation of the organ which, when chronic, can lead to liver cirrhosis. The severity of the liver disorder and its progression is also depended on the genotype of the infected person, since there are more than six different types of the virus. Read more…
Causes of Hepatitis C
The Hepatitis C disease is a result of the infection by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) which is spread through a contact of the infected blood. Hepatitis C has several means of infectious transfer such as:
Injecting drugs: Contaminated needles and syringes used to inject Hepatitis infected blood is the most common method for the spread of Hepatitis C.
Blood transfusion: Blood transfusion and organ transplantation before 1992 involved high chances of Hepatitis C transmission. This risk, however, has been improved with newer screening processes.
Unprotected medical procedures: Highly unsterilized medical tools, as is the case in numerous undeveloped countries, can propagate the infection.
Stray Sexual Intercourse: Hepatitis C is exceedingly uncommon through sex, however, if one individual’s blood is involved, especially during intercourse, that person can gain the infection.
Mother to child transmission: An ill woman in most cases can give her newborn child the virus during delivery. The chances of this happening are low.
Hepatitis C Symptoms
People normally don’t undergo any symptoms until their liver gets extremely damaged, this is one of the main reasons why Hepatitis C is known as the silent disease. The symptoms change depending on whether you suffer from Chronic or Acute infection.
Signs of Acute Hepatitis C
This infection develops within the first 6 months after being exposed to the disease. Few people show Fatigue Fever Loss of appetite Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain & Symptoms Yellowing of the skin and eyes
Signs of Chronic Hepatitis C
Chronic Hepatitis C can go untreated for many years, even decades, but doing so is not advisable. People suffering will undergo symptoms such as Unionized weariness Joint and muscle ache Inability to focus (brain fog) Leg and belly suffer from swelling Unexplained weight loss Bruising and easy bleeding
Diagnosis of Hepatitis C
In treatment, diagnosis comes first. Appropriate measures must be implemented capably to mitigate any potential damage to the liver. The following tests can only assist in identifying the appropriate diagnosis of Hepatitis C and its possible variants:
HCV Antibody Test – A blood test that looks for antibodies that are specifically made for targeting the virus. A positive result suggests an active or historic infection.
HCV RNA Test (PCR Test) – A blood test done to check whether the virus actually exists in blood confirming the active phase of infection.
Genotype Testing – The test that identifies the type of virus and thereby desciphers the kind of treatment could be taken.
Liver Function Tests: Measures liver enzyme levels to assess liver health.
Liver Biopsy or Fibroscan – An assessment done in order to check the amount of fibrosis or any damage caused to the liver tissues.
Treatment for Hepatitis C
Most cases of this illness are capably manageable by treating the patient with antiviral drugs. With the passage of time, treatment methods for Hepatitis C have changed drastically.
Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs)
DAAs are the primary treatment for Hepatitis C. They eliminate the virus and prevent its replication by inhibiting its essential proteins and have a known success rate of above 90%. Compared to older treatments, these newer medicines are more efficient and have fewer side effects. The following are common DAAs.
Sofosbuvir
Ledipasvir
Velpatasvir
Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir
Treatment: Duration
The primary prescribing duration remains in between 8 and 12 weeks on specific CODIS genotypes, the amount of the viral load, and the health of the Liver.
Treatment Adjustments Restrictions
Even though the unnovel doses of interferon and HCV treatment do have side effects, most people tolerate them rather well. Any shift is bound to be traumatic, however, a few side effects that they might come across includes: Click here
Cognitive Discomfort
Aches In My Head
Feeling Sick
Difficulty In Sleeping
Intermediate Effects of Hepatitis C
If a HCV infection goes untreated for a significant amount of time, it can lead to dire consequences. Some of the negative effects are:
Cirrhosis: The gradual deterioration of the liver due to fibrosis.
Liver Decompensation: The last stage of liver disease where life support is the only chance for survival.
Hepatoma: Hepatocellular carcinoma is primarily associated with chronic liver diseases such as hepatitis B and C.
Miscellaneous: HCV can lead to chronic ailments and organ failures outside the liver, for instance nephrons, hyperglycaemia, and heart diseases.
HCV Treatment Averting Measures
As surprising as it may be, HCV does not have a cure, but undergoing regular checkups and maintaining good hygiene and lifestyle medicine can help in prevention. Some of those reliable measures include:
Absence Of Physical Contact
Do not use injectable drugs with others, make contact with infected people, use unsterilized equipment or indulge in intercourse without protection.
Promote safe practice protocols during healthcare activities by using only disposable and sterilized instruments.
Condom Use
Always have intercourse protected with them when engaged in sexual activities with individuals who are suspected to be infected with the disease. Prophylactics will prevent He-CV viral infection transmission, even in cases where the woman is already infected.
Blood Transfusion And Donor
Prohibit transfusions from selected donors who have not been examined and screened for chronic blood infection.
Promote selectivity in blood donation and transfusion practices by distributing only to wellbeing-positive persons.
Self Hygiene
Do not allow sharing of personal items with the infected, like blades, brushes and fingernail units.
Dealing With Having The Disease
It can be difficult coping with being diagnosed with HCV but with modern medicine and care, one is able to change their lifestyle to feel normal and healthy again.
Steer Clear of Alcohol and Smoking
So, here’s the deal: alcohol really speeds up liver damage, and honestly, it’s best to steer clear of it altogether. And then there’s smoking—it’s not just bad for your lungs; it can actually up the chances of liver cancer too. Yikes, right?
Keep Up with Regular Check-ups
It’s super important to keep tabs on how your liver is doing. Make sure you check in with your healthcare provider regularly. They can help keep everything in check.
The Future of Hepatitis C Treatment
Now, onto something hopeful! Researchers are hustling to come up with a Hepatitis C vaccine, but, well, progress has been a bit slow. On a brighter note, newer antiviral medications are really making a difference in how people respond to treatment, and they’re getting better at catching it early too.
Wrapping It Up
So, here’s the bottom line: Hepatitis C is pretty serious, but the good news is, it’s treatable. Thanks to advancements in medicine, a lot of folks who have the virus can actually be cured in just a few weeks. Early detection, the right medical care, and taking preventive steps can really help ease the burden of Hepatitis C around the world. If you think you might have an infection, don’t wait—get tested and talk to a doctor. It’s a big step toward a healthier future!
