What Is Hepatitis C (Hep C, HCV)? Some information of Hepatitis (
courtecy;-medicinenet.com )
What Is Hepatitis C (Hep C, HCV)?
Hepatitis C
(HCV) is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis means
inflammation of the liver. It is a member of the family of viruses that include
hepatitis A and hepatitis B. The viruses behave differently and have different
modes of transmission. Hepatitis C can cause serious liver damage, liver
failure, liver cancer, and even death.
How Common Is Hepatitis C?
About 2.7-3.9 million people in the U.S. currently live with
chronic hepatitis C infection. 75%-85% of people infected with hepatitis C are
infected with chronic hepatitis C. The virus is most common in baby boomers who
represent 75% of infected adults. The rates of hepatitis C were the highest in
the 1970s and 1980s, the time when many baby boomers were likely infected. Many
people who have hepatitis C don't know they have it because the virus may not
produce symptoms until decades after infection.
Hepatitis C in Children
Hepatitis C is less common in children, but there are
approximately 23,000-46,000 children in the U.S. with hepatitis C. Most
children are infected by hepatitis C at birth. A child has a 1 in 20 chance of
being infected if the mother has hepatitis C. Adolescents can be infected with
hepatitis C by exposing themselves to IV drug use, sharing needles, and
high-risk sexual behaviors. Up to 40% of hepatitis C cases in children will go
away on their own by age 2, if the virus is transmitted at birth.
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How Do You Get Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is
a blood-borne illness, meaning it is transmitted via contact with infected
blood. Usually the virus enters the body through a puncture wound on the skin.
Is Hepatitis C Contagious?
Yes, hepatitis
C is contagious. The most common way hepatitis C is transmitted is via
injection drug use. Sharing needles with someone who is infected can transmit
hepatitis C. Health care professionals may contract the virus via needlestick
injury. Prior to 1992, the U.S. blood supply was not screened the way it is
today, so some people contracted hepatitis C from infected blood transfusions.
Rarely, babies born to hepatitis C-infected mothers acquire the virus.
Hepatitis C can also be spread by having sex with an infected person or sharing
personal items (a razor or toothbrush) with someone who has the virus, but
these cases are rare.
Hepatitis C (Hep C)
Symptoms
About 70% to 80% of
people with the hepatitis C virus do not have any symptoms, especially in the
early stages. In these people, symptoms may develop years, even decades later,
when liver damage occurs. Others develop symptoms between 2 weeks to 6 months
after infection. The average time to develop symptoms is 6 to 7 weeks after
acquiring the virus. A person who has hepatitis C infection, but isn't
exhibiting any symptoms can still pass the virus on to others. Hepatitis C
symptoms may include:
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Mild-to-severe fever
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Fatigue
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Abdominal pain
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Loss of appetite
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Joint pain
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Dark urine
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Clay-colored stool
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Yellowing of the skin
(jaundice)
Acute vs. Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
Acute hepatitis
C infection refers to symptoms that appear within 6 months of newly acquiring
the virus. About 20% to 30% of those who acquire hepatitis C experience acute
illness. After this, the body either clears the virus or goes on to develop
chronic infection.
Chronic
hepatitis C infection refers to long-lasting infection. The majority of people
who have acute hepatitis C infection (75% to 85%) go on to develop the chronic
form of the illness.
How Is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?
Hepatitis C
infection is diagnosed with several blood tests. The hepatitis C antibody test
checks for antibodies (immune particles) that fight the virus. A
"non-reactive" result means that antibodies to the virus are not
detected. A "reactive" result means antibodies to the virus are
present, but the test is unable to indicate whether the infection is current or
from the past. Another blood test to assess the presence of hepatitis C genetic
material (HCV RNA test) is available. The results of this test can help doctors
determine whether hepatitis C infection is current or not. Additional blood
tests can be used to determine the amount of virus in the body, known as a
titer.
When someone
has confirmed hepatitis C infection, the doctor will order more tests to assess
the degree of liver damage. A liver biopsy may be performed. There are several
different strains of the hepatitis C virus that respond to different
treatments. For this reason, the doctor will order a test to determine the
genotype(s) of the hepatitis C infection to help determine the course of
treatment.
Who Should Get Tested for Hepatitis C?
·
Current or former drug users who use needles
·
Healthcare workers exposed to blood or bodily fluids
·
People with a sex partner infected with chronic hepatitis C
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People who had their blood filtered by a machine for a long time
·
People who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant from a
donor before July 1992
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People with HIV
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People born between 1945 and 1965
Potential Hepatitis C Complications
Chronic
hepatitis C infection is a long-lasting illness with potentially serious
complications. About 75% to 85% of those with acute hepatitis C infection go on
to develop chronic hepatitis C. Of those in the chronic illness group, more
than two-thirds will develop liver disease. Up to 20% will develop cirrhosis,
or scarring of the liver, within 20 to 30 years. Cirrhosis affects liver
function and causes elevated blood liver enzymes. Up to 5% of people with
chronic hepatitis C infection will die from liver cancer or cirrhosis. Chronic
hepatitis C infection is the most common reason for liver transplantation in
the U.S.
Hepatitis C (Hep C) Treatment
Treatment for
hepatitis C is available. The course of treatment depends on whether the
infection is acute or chronic, the strain (genotype) of the virus, the amount
of the virus in the body (viral load), the degree of liver damage, response to
previous treatment, and the health of the patient. Hepatitis C treatment is
highly individualized, so it's important to be under the care of a doctor with
expertise in this area. The goal of treatment is to achieve sustained virologic
response (SVR), which means there is no detectable virus in the blood 6 months
after treatment. While it's not a cure, achieving SVR is the next best thing.
Many people with hepatitis C can achieve SVR with treatment.
Medications That Treat Hepatitis C
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Interferon (Infergen, Roferon, Intron A)
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Peglyated interferon (Pegasys, Pegintron)
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Ribavirin (CoPegus, Rebetol)
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Boceprevir (Victrelis)
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Telaprevir (Incivek)
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Simprevir (Olysio)
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Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi)
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Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni)
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Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir tablets; dasabuvir tablets
(Viekira Pak)
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Ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (Technivie)
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Daclatasvir (Daklinza)
Your doctor can
choose the best treatment for your individual circumstances.
Hepatitis C and Liver Transplantation
Some people
with advanced hepatitis C and severe liver damage undergo a liver transplant,
but that doesn't eradicate the infection. Patients with an active infection at
the time of the transplant will develop hepatitis C in the new liver. Sometimes
the infection recurs even when patients are on antiviral treatment. Those who have
achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) - meaning no detectable virus in
the blood 6 months after treatment - have a very low risk of developing
hepatitis C infection in the new liver.
Is Hepatitis C Curable?
About 15% to
25% of people who are infected with the hepatitis C infection clear the virus
on their own. Scientists are still trying to determine why hepatitis C goes
away in some patients, while others go on to develop symptoms. There is no cure
for an active or chronic hepatitis C infection, but sustained virologic
response (SVR) is the next best thing. Hepatitis C infection rarely recurs in
those who have achieved SVR.
Hepatitis C Vaccine
There is
currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. Research is ongoing to develop a vaccine
against the virus. There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
How to Prevent Hepatitis C Infection
Hepatitis C is
a blood-borne infection. To reduce the risk of infection, avoid sharing
personal items (toothbrushes and razors) with others. Do not use injected drugs.
If you do use injected drugs, never share needles and equipment with others.
Getting tattoos and body piercings can put you at risk. Use condoms during sex.
Health care workers should take precautions to avoid needle-sticks and properly
dispose of needles and other materials that come into contact with blood. Speak
to your doctor about your risk factors and follow recommended screening
standards for hepatitis C.
How to Prevent Giving Hepatitis C
If you have
hepatitis C, these common precautions should be followed to prevent spreading
or giving hepatitis C to others:
·
Cover cuts and blisters
·
Properly dispose of any used bandages, tissues, tampons, or
anything else containing your blood
·
Wash your hands or any objects that have come in contact with your
blood
·
Clean spilled blood on surfaces with household bleach and water
·
Don’t share personal items that have your blood on it
·
Do not breastfeed if your nipples becomes cracked and bleed
·
Do not donate blood, sperm, or organs
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Reviewed by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD on Saturday, August 06, 2016
Reviewed by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD on Saturday, August 06, 2016
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Hepatitis C
(Hep C) Symptoms and Treatment
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Sources: 
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This tool does not
provide medical advice.
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