Hepatitis C and Hepatitis C Virus
What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver infection that can seriously damage the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus. About 2.4 million people in the United States have this disease. But because it rarely causes symptoms, most of them go unnoticed.
The virus is spread through the blood or body fluids of infected people.
Hepatitis C virus, or HCV, is the most common cause of death.
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Different stages of hepatitis C infection:
The Hepatitis C virus affects people at several levels?
The maturation period is the period between disease onset and first exposure. This can take anywhere from 14 to 80 days, but the average is 45 days.
Chronic hepatitis C: This is a short-term infection that occurs within the first 6 months after the virus enters your body. Some owners throw it away or clean it.
Chronic hepatitis C. In most cases of hepatitis C, up to 85%, the disease develops for a long time (more than 6 months). This is called chronic hepatitis C infection and can lead to serious health problems such as liver cancer or cirrhosis.
Cirrhosis: The disease causes inflammation, which over time replaces healthy liver cells with scar tissue. It usually takes 20 to 30 years for this to happen, but if you smoke or have HIV, it's more likely.
Liver Cancer: Cirrhosis increases the risk of liver cancer. Your doctor may recommend a repeat test if there are no symptoms at first.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. However, 2 weeks to 6 months after the virus enters the bloodstream, you may notice:
.Soil-colored waste.
.Jaundice (an infection that causes yellow discoloration of the skin of the eyes and dark urine).
.Joint pain
.Dizziness
.Fatigue
.Fever
How is hepatitis C caused?
Hepatitis C is spread when blood or body fluids contaminated with the hepatitis C virus enter the bloodstream through contact with an infected person.
You can find this virus.
.Sharing drugs and injection needles.
.Sex, especially if you have HIV or another STD.
.Sharing personal care items such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers.
.Killed by a contaminated needle.
.Congenital – Can be passed from mother to child.
.Tattooing or piercing with dirty tools.
You will not get hepatitis C:
Breastfeeding (if the breast is not damaged and there is no blood).
This is a common connection
.Handcuffs And kiss
.A mosquito bites you
.Sharing eating utensils
.Eat, drink or share.
Complex symptoms of hepatitis C
You may notice it with serious symptoms.
.Fluid in the abdomen (heart) or swelling in the legs.
.There are gallstones
.Your brain is not working properly (encephalopathy).
.Renal failure
.Bleeds and bruises easily
.This is muscle damage
.Memory and concentration problems
.Serpentine veins in the skin
.Bleeding in the lower abdomen is caused by disorders of the esophagus.
.You can lose weight
Risk factors for hepatitis C?
CDC recommends testing for the following conditions:
.Above 18 years (check at least once in your lifetime)
.Are you pregnant (see all pregnancies)?
.That patient receives blood from a donor
.Now enter the medicine (check again).
.Medicines by injection or snort (if you use medicines, you should check regularly).
.Hepatitis C patients are exposed to blood
.undergoing kidney dialysis for a long time
Abnormal liver tests or liver disease.
Hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment?
The doctor will start by testing your blood for:
Anti-HCV antibodies: These are proteins your body produces when it detects HCV in the blood. It usually appears within 12 weeks of infection.
While some places offer rapid testing, it usually takes a few days a week to get the results.
Results may include:
Bad or negative:
This means you may not have Hepatitis.
If you have been contacted within the past 6 months, you should try again.
Bad or good:
This means you have antibodies to Hepatitis and have been infected at some point.
You need another test to be sure.
If your antibody test is positive: you will undergo the following tests:
HCV RNA: This is a measure of how many cells in your blood contain viral (hepatitis virus) RNA. It usually appears 1-2 weeks after infection.
You can also see:
Liver function tests: Protein and enzyme levels are measured, which usually improve 7 to 8 weeks after infection. When your liver breaks down, enzymes enter your bloodstream. However, you can have normal enzyme levels and still have hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C drug treatment:
If you have hepatitis C, no treatment is recommended. If your hepatitis C turns into chronic hepatitis C, there are several treatments.
What are the side effects of hepatitis C medicine?
Common side effects of hepatitis C medications depend on the medication and may include:
.Flu-like symptoms
.Damaged hair
.Headache
.Elevated liver enzyme tests
.Depression
About 75% to 85% of people have a chronic infection called chronic hepatitis C. If the condition is left untreated, it can:
Cirrhosis or scarring of the liver
Heart cancer
heart attack
Can hepatitis C be prevented?
There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. To prevent viral infection:
Use a latex condom .
Do not share personal items such as knives.
Do not share needles, syringes or other equipment when injecting medicine.
Be careful with tattoos, piercings or manicures. The device may contain other people's blood.
what do you think
Today, most people with hepatitis C who receive treatment have a good prognosis. With the new treatment, the virus cure rate is over 90%. Antiviral drugs target a condition called persistent viral response. If a blood test done 3 months after the end of treatment shows no virus, the hepatitis virus is considered "cured".
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