Hepatitis C
Hepatitis or inflammation of the liver is a disease with many causes, such as infection with hepatitis B or C virus, use of medications and dietary or herbal supplements, poisons, fatty liver, excessive consumption of alcohol, and genetic disorders.
Hepatitis C affects around 3% of the world population. Often, people with Hepatitis C do not know that they are infected because the disease is asymptomatic or shows mild symptoms. However, chronic Hepatitis C increases the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Causes
Hepatitis C transmission occurs through infected blood, and the infection can happen through:
- Sexual partner of an infected person
- Blood transfusions, particularly before 1990, when there was no blood screening for hepatitis C.
- Reuse or share needles
- Tattoos or body piercings with shared needles
- Sharing contaminated items such as razors, toothbrushes, and cocaine straws
There is a 5% chance of passing the virus from infected pregnant women to the fetus. Hepatitis C is not transmitted through hugging, kissing, coughing, sneezing, sharing meals or cutlery, or other kinds of contact which do not involve blood.
Symptoms
Usually, hepatitis C is asymptomatic. Some people may have fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, weakness, joint and muscle pain, or weight loss, but these symptoms are less common.
Diagnosis
All adults should be tested for Hepatitis C at least once through an anti-HCV or HCV antibody blood test. People with higher risks, such as a history of injection drug use, should get a screening test regularly. If a test for blood anti-HCV is positive, additional tests, including liver function test, liver ultrasound, liver elastography with FibroScan, or liver biopsy, are to make a proper treatment plan. Nowadays, liver biopsy is less common.
In addition, hepatitis A and B infection and antibody screening tests are necessary. If you do not have immunity against hepatitis A and B, your doctor may advise you to get vaccinated. And if you have hepatitis B and C infections, you should receive treatment for both diseases.
Treatment
There are 6 genotypes of hepatitis C. The various hepatitis C oral medications can cover and treat all 6 genotypes, with a cure rate higher than 90% if patients do not have cirrhosis. Before antiviral medication treatment, your doctor will ask for the medications you have been taking for your preexisting medical condition for possible drug interactions and monitor for adverse reactions during treatment. The course of treatment can last for 3 - 6 months, depending on the genotype, stage of cirrhosis, and previous treatment you have received. It is essential to adhere to the prescribed drug regimen during treatment and complete the course of medications to avoid viral drug resistance.
After the treatment, patients should have a viral load test at 3 - 6 months to ascertain the cure. People with cirrhosis should have a liver ultrasound and blood test for alpha-fetoprotein every six months to help detect liver cancer in its early stage. This group of people is still at risk of developing the disease though the risk is lower after hepatitis treatment.
People treated and cured have no immunity against hepatitis C and can still have reinfection if exposed to the virus.
Living with Hepatitis C
If you have hepatitis C, you may need certain vaccines or avoid substances that can harm your liver.
- Screening tests Esophageal varices can develop in people with severe liver damage. You may need a regular upper endoscopy and an ultrasound every 6 months to check for signs of malignancy.
- Vaccination A vaccine preventing hepatitis C is not available, but people who do not have immunity against hepatitis A and B should get vaccinated and receive other necessary vaccines.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs that can damage your liver If you have hepatitis, it is essential to avoid anything that can be harmful to your liver.
- Alcoholic beverages
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Herbal supplements
- Dietary supplements
- Certain medications
