What is Hepatitis C infection?

Introduction of Hepatitis C:

The virus that causes hepatitis C spreads through contact with an infected person's blood and causes liver infection. Fatigue and achy muscles or joints are symptoms. Treatment options and diagnosis are covered.

What is Hepatitis C?

OVERVIEW

What is Hepatitis C? Where does it come from?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread through contact with infected blood. The virus can lead to inflammation of the liver and, in some cases, liver damage, cirrhosis, or liver cancer.

The hepatitis C virus is typically spread through the following means:

Sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs

Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992 in the United States, or in a country where blood screening for HCV is not routinely performed

Sharing personal care items, such as razors or toothbrushes, that may have come into contact with infected blood

Having sex with an infected partner, although this is less common than other transmission routes

From mother to baby during childbirth (although this is rare)

People who are at increased risk of hepatitis C include individuals who have a history of injection drug use, people who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992, and healthcare workers who may have come into contact with infected blood.

Hepatitis C is a serious condition that can cause significant liver damage if left untreated. However, there are now effective treatments available that can cure most people of the virus.

What are the types of hepatitis C infection?

There are two types of hepatitis C infection:

• Acute: An acute infection is one that develops within six months of a person being exposed to the virus. Even so, between 75 and 85% of those who have the acute form go on to develop the chronic form.
• Chronic: A long-lasting condition that can last the entirety of a person's life. It can result in liver cirrhosis (scarring), as well as more severe issues like cancer or liver failure. Hepatitis C-related liver disease claims the lives of around 15,000 people each year.

How common is hepatitis C?

In the US, the number of individuals living with chronic hepatitis C ranges from 2.7 to 3.9 million. The most common cause of liver cancer and cirrhosis is hepatitis C. In the US, it is the most typical justification for liver transplants.

Can you get hepatitis c from reusing your own needle?

Yes, it is possible to get hepatitis C from reusing your own needle. Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that can be transmitted through the sharing of contaminated needles, even if it is your own needle.

When a needle is reused, it can become contaminated with blood that may contain the hepatitis C virus. If the needle is then used again, the virus can be transmitted into the bloodstream, potentially causing hepatitis C infection.

It's important to always use a clean and sterile needle and not share needles with others, even if you are only using the needle on yourself. If you need to use a needle multiple times, make sure to properly clean and sterilize it between uses. Additionally, you should consider getting vaccinated against hepatitis B, as this virus can also be transmitted through contaminated needles.

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

What causes hepatitis C?

When uninfected blood contacts an infected person's body, hepatitis C is the result. The most typical means of infection are as follows:

• When injecting intravenous (IV) medications, an infected individual shares needles or syringes. Infection risk extends to individuals who have seldom taken IV medications.
• Hepatitis C risk is increased in patients who had donated blood.

Less common ways of spreading hepatitis C include the following:

• Sexual interaction with a sick individual. Although there is a fair risk of contracting hepatitis C during sexual activity, persons who have many partners or who are HIV positive are at higher risk.
• Sharing personal items like a toothbrush or razor that may have come into contact with an infected person's blood.
• Getting sick after getting a tattoo or body piercing if the place doesn't use sterile tools or conduct infection control.

Causes of Hep C

Although it is uncommon, babies born to moms who have hepatitis C may contract the disease. The "baby boomers" (Americans born between 1945 and 1965) should also be checked for hepatitis C due to their higher risk of infection.

Simple physical contact, such as hugging, kissing, or sneezing, as well as coughing, and sneezing, do not spread hepatitis C.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C infection goes unnoticed by its victims. When they occur, the symptoms could resemble the flu. The onset of symptoms might range from 2 weeks to 6 months following virus exposure.

Acute hepatitis C symptoms can include:

• The muscles or joints feel achy.
• Mildly weary (feeling tired)
• Nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) (feeling sick to the stomach)
• Reduced appetite
• The liver area feels tender

Symptoms of Hep C

Itching, poor thinking, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) are some signs of liver damage brought on by chronic hepatitis.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS

How is hepatitis C diagnosed?

The physician will do a physical examination and get the patient's medical history. During the physical examination, the doctor will be on the watch for jaundice, which displays as yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, as well as signs of liver damage, such as tenderness in the abdomen, swelling in the legs, feet, or ankles.

Hepatitis C may be detected by a variety of blood tests. Hepatitis C antibody testing is the first blood test. (In response to an infectious substance, such as a virus, the body produces antibodies).

If antibodies are discovered, it is clear that the patient has had some exposure to hepatitis C. If the blood still has the active virus present, it can be determined using a blood test known as a PCR RNA. The person is currently infected with hepatitis C if the test is positive. The patient has had prior exposure to the virus but is not currently infected if the PCR RNA results are negative but the antibody testing was positive.

To determine whether the liver is affected and how much damage has already happened, a person with hepatitis C may need to have a liver biopsy or a liver fibrosis scan (also known as a fibro scan).

As soon as you are identified as having an active (chronic) hepatitis C infection, you should be referred to a doctor who has experience treating the disease.

What is the window period for an antibody test for hepatitis C?

The window period for an antibody test for hepatitis C is the time between when a person contracts the virus and when their body starts producing enough antibodies to be detected by the test. In general, the window period for hepatitis C antibody testing is between 4-6 weeks after exposure to the virus. However, it can take up to 6 months for some people to develop detectable levels of antibodies.

It's important to note that even if the antibody test is negative during the window period, a person may still be infected with hepatitis C. In some cases, a viral load test may be needed to confirm or rule out hepatitis C infection. It's recommended to consult with a healthcare provider for guidance on testing and interpretation of results.

Management and Treatment

How is hepatitis C treated?

Hepatitis C is not preventable by immunization. Hepatitis C treatment aims to remove the virus from the blood and guard against the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer in the liver.

Hepatitis C can be treated with a variety of drugs. There are six distinct strains or variants of the hepatitis C virus (also known as genotypes). The kind of treatment and its duration may differ. Antiviral drugs do not always treat all hepatitis strains. Due to side effects or the patient's other medical conditions, not all hepatitis C patients are candidates for all medications.

These are the medications approved for the treatment of hepatitis C infection:

• One tablet of sofosbuvir is taken each day. along with other antiviral medications.
• Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir: Depending on how severe the condition is, take one pill every day for 12 to 24 weeks.
• Simeprevir is a capsule that should be given once daily along with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin. Paritaprevir, ombitasvir, ritonavir, and dasabuvir are also combinations.
• Daclatasvir (Daklinza®): Combined with other medications
• Taken once daily, the Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (Zepatier®) tablet
• Epclusa® (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir): Taking a tablet once day
• Pibrentasvir/glecaprevir (Mavyret®): Every day, three tablets in one dose
• The Vosevi® sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir tablet is used once daily.
• Ritonavir, ombitasvir, and paritaprevir (Technivie®): Two pills along with ribavirin should be taken once daily in the morning.

Ribavirin is a drug that may lead to birth abnormalities. Ribavirin users are required to use two methods of birth control both during treatment and for up to six months after stopping it. When using these medications, patients should be under the care of their doctors.

Prevention

Can hepatitis C be prevented?

Hepatitis C is not preventable by immunization. Avoiding contact with contaminated blood is the only way to avoid contracting an infection.

No amount of sneezing, coughing, or sharing of eating utensils may spread hepatitis C.

Because they have hepatitis C, people shouldn't be barred from going to work, school, or other social settings.

Here are several safety measures that could stop the spread of hepatitis C:

• Never exchange personal care items like toothbrushes or razors with other people.
• Use condoms for safe sexual activity.
• Share no syringes or needles.
• When handling someone else's blood, wear gloves.
• For body piercings or tattoos, use sterile instruments.
• Observe the safety recommendations if you work in healthcare.

Blood should be checked for hepatitis C in those who are more susceptible to the disease. Americans born between 1945 and 1965 are advised to get at least one illness screening, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

PROGNOSIS

What is the hepatitis C patient's prognosis (outlook)?

Even after receiving a hepatitis C diagnosis, you can still be active. People with the condition are still able to work and go about their daily lives. But it's crucial that you visit a doctor very away after learning that you have hepatitis C. The virus is treatable with a wide range of medications.

Patients should: keep a healthy lifestyle:

• Regular exercise
• Eat wholesome, balanced meals
• Limit their alcohol consumption or don't drink at all (depending on the extent of liver damage from the virus; check with your doctor)
• Before taking any over-the-counter drugs, including acetaminophen, consult a physician

If  You want to Learn More About Other Types of Hepatitis, Click on the Links Below

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis D
• Hepatitis E