Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious liver damage. The HCV spreads through contaminated blood. The most significant difference between hepatitis B and hepatitis C is that people may get hepatitis B from contact with the bodily fluids of a person who has the infection. It usually only spreads through blood-to-blood contact. Antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of persons with this infection, but access to diagnosis and treatment is low. There is currently no effective vaccine against hepatitis C. (Source)
Causes
This infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection spreads when blood contaminated with the virus enters the bloodstream of an uninfected person. Hepatitis can be caused by: Immune cells in the body attacking the liver. Infections from viruses (such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C), bacteria, or parasites. Liver damage from alcohol or poison.
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Symptoms
Long-term infection with this virus is known as chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C is usually silent for many years, until the virus damages the liver enough to cause the signs and symptoms of liver disease.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Bleeding easily
- Bruising easily
- Fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes
- Dark-colored urine
- Itchy skin
- Fluid buildup in your abdomen
- Swelling in your legs
- Weight loss
- Confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech
- Spider Like blood vessels on your skin
Facts
Globally, HCV exists in several distinct forms, known as genotypes. Seven distinct HCV genotypes and more than 67 subtypes have been identified. The most common HCV genotype in the United States is type 1. Although chronic hepatitis C follows a similar course regardless of the genotype of the infecting virus, treatment recommendations vary depending on viral genotype.
Every chronic hepatitis C infection starts with an acute phase. Acute hepatitis C usually goes undiagnosed because it rarely causes symptoms. When signs and symptoms are present, they may include jaundice, along with fatigue, nausea, fever, and muscle aches. Acute symptoms appear one to three months after exposure to the virus and last two weeks to three months.
Risk factors
Your risk of hepatitis C infection is increased if you:
- Have ever injected or inhaled an illicit drug
- Have HIV
- Received a piercing or tattoo in an unclean environment using unsterile equipment.
- Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992.
- Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987.
- Received hemodialysis treatments for a long period of time
- Were born to a woman with this hepatitis infection
- Were you ever in prison?
- Are a boomer (1945-1965), the age group with the highest incidence of hepatitis C infection
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Treatment
There is no such treatment for Hepatitis, yet there are vaccines for its prevention. They are given as early as a baby is born.
Chronic HCV is usually curable with oral medications taken every day for two to six months.
Prevention
Protect yourself from this infection by taking the following precautions:
- Stop using illicit drugs, particularly if you inject them. If you use illicit drugs, seek help.
- Be cautious about body piercing and tattooing. If you choose to undergo piercing or tattooing, look for a reputable shop.
- Practice safer sex. Don’t engage in unprotected sex with multiple partners or with any partner whose health status is uncertain. Sexual transmission between monogamous couples may occur, but the risk is low.
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