Hepatitis C is an Infectious virus which is carried from the blood stream to the liver resulting in inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C is symptomatic in the beginning, although chronic infection results in scarring of liver and later leads to cirrhosis of liver, Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and fatty liver. Hepatitis C is also called Hep C or HCV.

The major cause of spreading this deadly disease is blood to blood contact from an infected person to a healthy person. Even a tiny drop of infected blood is capable of causing Hepatitis C, like using contaminated injecting equipment, sharing needles and blood contact on open wounds.

According to W.H.O. people infected from Hepatitis C virus has exceeded 220 million and counting. The cure, in modern medicine is a standard therapy of Interferon and Rebavirin. However, the success rate of this therapy is less than 50%, also resulting in lack of immunity, and at times unaffordable. Some patients opt for liver transplant, though there is always a chance for HCV virus to recur post liver transplant.

Hepatitis C is mostly caused by:

• Contaminated injecting equipment

• Sharing needles .

• Blood contact on open wounds.

Symptoms & Signs of Hepatitis C:

Most infants and children with Hepatitis B never develop signs and symptoms. The same is true for many adults. Signs and symptoms usually appear four to six weeks after you’re infected and can range from mild to severe. They may include some or all of the following:

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea and vomiting

• Weakness and fatigue

• Abdominal pain, especially around your liver

• Dark urine

• Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)

• Muscle or Joint pain.

Acute phase:

Acute means ‘new’ or ‘for a short time’. This phase lasts for the first six months. When first infected with the virus, most people have no symptoms, or only mild ones. If symptoms do occur, they develop about 7-8 weeks after being exposed to the virus and may include: feeling sick, vomiting and feeling generally unwell.

Chronic phase:

A chronic hepatitis C infection is when the infection lasts for longer than six months. The course of the chronic infection varies considerably between people and it is very unpredictable. Of those people who develop chronic infection.

Some people have mild or no symptoms. However, even if you have no symptoms, you can still pass on the hepatitis C virus to others who may develop problems.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF HEPATITIS?

The different types of VIRAL hepatitis are:

• Formerly called infectious hepatitis

• Serum hepatitis

• Formerly called non-A, Non-B hepatitis.

• Delta hepatitis

• A virus transmitted through the feces of an infected person-Cryptogenic (or Non-A, Non- B).

• A virus transmitted through infected blood products.

More hepatitis viruses are being discovered, but may be less common.

How is hepatitis C diagnosed ?

Hepatitis C is diagnosed by simple blood tests. Specialized tests can also tell you about the amount of virus in your blood. A liver function test and an ultrasound scan of the liver will assess whether you may have developed early cirrhosis. Your doctor may advise you to undergo a liver biopsy to check how much of the liver is damaged. During a biopsy, a small piece of liver tissue is removed with a needle passed into the liver. This tissue is then studied in the laboratory.

What should you do if you are diagnosed to have hepatitis C ?

Eat healthy meals

Exercise and try to lose weight if you are overweight

See a liver doctor regularly

Take only the medications recommended by your doctor

Avoid alcohol completely

Talk to your doctor about treatments for Hepatitis C

Talk to your doctor about hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines

Ask your spouse to get tested for Hepatitis

How is hepatitis C treated ?

There is effective treatment for HCV infection. Treatment usually consists of weekly injections of Interferon along with oral drugs (Ribavirin). Treatment is usually given for 3 to 6 months. Two out of three patients respond well to treatment. Newer drugs such as Boceprevir and Telaprevir help in improving the response to treatment. Treatment is more effective if patients are treated when they are young and do not have advanced liver disease.

How can patients with Hepatitis C and liver failure be treated ?

Once patients with HCV develop cirrhosis and liver failure, they cannot be treated with medicines. The only option in such patients is to undergo liver transplantation. Overall about 10 percent of patients with Hepatitis C require liver transplantation. The success rate of transplantation 90 percent, but the new liver may get re-infected with hepatitis C which may require treatment after transplant.

Spread of Hepatitis:

According to W.H.O. people infected from Hepatitis C virus has exceeded 250 million (25,00,00,000) and counting. The cure, in modern medicine is a standard therapy of Interferon and Rebavirin. However, the success rate of this therapy is less than 50%, also resulting in lack of immunity, and at times unaffordable. Some patients opt for liver transplant, though there is always a chance for HCV virus to recur post liver transplant.

What is the best way to stop the spread of hepatitis C ?

There is no vaccine to prevent HCV. The only way to stop the spread of HCV is to avoid direct contact with infected blood.

Make sure your healthcare providers use clean and sterile equipment for your care and are not reusing injection needles

Make sure that blood being transfused is from an authorized and government blood bank.

Practice safe sex

Use clean needles and equipment for tattoos, ear and nose piercings

Do not share razors, toothbrushes, or other personal items with others.

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