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Hepatitis C, viral infection that causes liver inflammation which spreads through contaminated blood. There are several viruses that cause hepatitis, like A, Band C. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes hepatitis C. The infection can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), new cases of hepatitis C mostly occur from contact with needles or other equipment used to prepare or inject drugs. Prevalence of HCV in India is about 0.5- 1.5% with approximately 12- 18 million people are infected. Some of the states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana have seen rise in the cases of Hepatitis C in the recent years.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
People with acute hepatitis C do not develop any symptoms. In case symptoms begin to arise then, only between 2 to 12 weeks after exposure. Some of the symptoms include fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay- coloured stool, joint pain, jaundice, nausea or vomiting.
The advanced form of hepatitis C will show symptoms like fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity or the legs; gallstones; encephalopathy, brain doesn’t work well; easy bleeding and bruising; intense itching; muscle loss; problems with memory and concentration; vomiting blood due to bleeding in the lower esophagus; weight loss and spider- like veins on the skin. The infection turns to chronic condition when the body cannot the virus. This is a serious condition, if not treated may lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. Consult a doctor in the early stages and avail medications for the same from any best healthcare service provider in India.
Causes of Hepatitis C
The infection is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). The chances of virus spread is more when the virus contaminated with blood or any body fluids enters an uninfected person. HCV exists in several distinct forms known as genotypes. Until now, seven distinct HCV genotypes and more than 67 subtypes have been identified.
Means of Hepatitis C infection
Body can be exposed to the viral infection by following means:
- Usage of shared injection drugs and needles or being stuck by infected needles
- Indulging in unsafe sex, in case you are an STD or HIV infection
- From an infected mother will pass the virus to her child
- Sharing personal items like toothbrushes, razor blades and nail clippers
One won’t catch the infection in following instances:
- Breastfeeding, unless nipples are cracked and bleeding
- Any casual contact like hugging, kissing or holding hands
- Coughing or sneezing
- Mosquito bites
- Sharing utensils, food or drink
Diagnosis of Hepatitis C
Doctor will perform blood test to look for anti- HCV antibodies, HCV RNA and genotype test. At times liver function tests are done to measure proteins and enzyme levels, which usually rise in case of infection.
Treatment for Hepatitis C
Modern treatments can cure hepatitis C, which involve a combination of antiviral medications. Most cases of chronic hepatitis C and acute hepatitis C can be cured by direct- acting antiviral medicines (DAAs), that work by targeting specific steps in the HCV life cycle to disrupt the reproduction of viral cells. Some of the DAAs used to treat the infection include elbasvir, glecaprevir, ledipasvir, peginterferon alfa- 2a and sofosbuvir. Few others are daclatasvir, ribavirin and ombitasvir-paritaprevir- ritonavir. One can buy medicine online in Delhi.
Prevention of Hepatitis C
Some of the ways to protect oneself from hepatitis C infection include:
- Don’t use illicit drugs through injection.
- Preferably wear gloves when touching other person’s open sores
- Make sure the employee piercing or tattooing is using sterile needles and equipment.
- Don’t engage in unprotected sex with multiple partners or anyone whose health status is uncertain.
- Quit smoking and avoid consumption of alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight and manage other health complications.
Ending note
Every year July 28 is observed as World Hepatitis Day, to spread awareness of the disease and make promises to keep the world hepatitis free. Improvement in education and technology has paved way to better understanding of a disease and discover treatment measures for the same. Modern medications have proved to 90% of hepatitis C cases. Follow the prevention rules properly and avoid chances of being infected or transmission of the virus.
