What is hepatitis C?
Date: 3 سال قبل
author: AmirAbad
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C
is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, sometimes leading to serious
liver damage.
It’s caused
by the hepatitis C virus.
The virus spreads through an infected person’s blood or body fluids.
There are
many forms of the hepatitis C virus, or HCV. The most common in the U.S. is
type 1. None is more serious than any other, but they respond differently to
treatment.
Not
everyone with hepatitis C virus experiences symptoms. In fact, about 80 percent Trusted
Source of people don’t notice any signs of illness when they first contract
the virus.
Symptoms
that do develop may vary, depending on whether you have the acute or chronic
form of the condition.
Symptoms
you might experience include:
·
joint pain
·
gray or pale stools
The hepatitis C virus affects people in different ways
and has several stages:
·
Incubation period.
This is the time between first exposure to the start of the disease. It can
last anywhere from 14 to 80 days, but the average is 45
·
Acute hepatitis C:
This is a short-term illness that lasts for the first 6 months after the virus
enters your body. After that, some people who have it will get rid of, or
clear, the virus on their own.
·
Chronic hepatitis C
: For most people who get hepatitis C -- up to 85% -- the illness moves into a
long-lasting stage (longer than 6 months). This is called a chronic hepatitis C
infection and can lead to serious health problems like liver cancer or
cirrhosis.
·
Cirrhosis : This
disease leads to inflammation that, over time, replaces your healthy liver
cells with scar tissue. It usually takes about 20 to 30 years for this to
happen, though it can be faster if you drink alcohol or have HIV.
·
Liver cancer:
Cirrhosis makes liver cancer more likely. Your doctor will make sure you get
regular tests because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages.
How Do You Get Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C
spreads when blood or body fluids contaminated with the hepatitis C virus get
into your bloodstream through contact with an infected person.
You can be
exposed to the virus from:
·
organ transplants
·
sharing items, like
razors or toothbrushes
·
sharing needles
How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
·
Anti-HCV
antibodies: These are proteins your body makes when it finds the hep C virus in
your blood.
·
HCV RNA: It
measures the number of viral RNA (genetic material from the hepatitis virus)
particles in your blood.
·
Liver function
tests: They measure proteins and enzyme levels
·
Genotype test: This test
can reveal which hepatitis C genotype you have.
This information will help your healthcare professional find an effective
treatment approach.
·
Liver biopsy: This procedure can also
help check for liver damage. A biopsy involves taking a small piece of tissue
from your liver and testing it for cell abnormalities.
Can You Prevent Hepatitis C Infection?
·
Don't share personal
items like razors.
·
Don't share
needles, syringes, or other equipment when injecting drugs.
·
Be careful if you
get a tattoo, body piercing, or manicure. The
equipment may have someone else's blood on it.
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