Did you know? Globally, an estimated 50 million people are chronically infected with Hepatitis C. (WHO)
This disease is a terrible doom for many people because it approximately kills millions every year.
It continuously damages the liver of the patient, which leads to problems like liver inflammation, damage, and many other issues.
These fractions can lead to mild pains, sometimes to painful death also.
In this blog post, we are going to take an extensive overview of this health concern and understand some prevention measures.
Let’s begin!
Modes of Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus
Because hepatitis C mostly spreads as a result of blood exchange, it is considered a viral infection because of its progressive spreading nature. One of the modes of transmission of the virus is the following:
Unsafe Injection Methods
The threat is serious in cases where needles, syringes, and the aforementioned equipment are not properly sterilized or where their sharing is being conducted that will transmit diseases into multiple bodies.
Poor Hygiene Practices
This can be achieved by insufficient cleaning of medical tools or getting poisoned by blood that has not been screened.
Sharing of Drug Equipment
Severely addicted people to drugs can easily spread the infection using a shared needle or any other equipment used for drugs.
Sexual Activities
The virus can be spread during intercourse. This occurs mostly in men who have sex with men and is not so frequent.
Mother-to-Child Transmission
The virus can be handed on from a mother to her unborn child at the time of birth.
Valuable info Direct-acting antiviral medications (DAAs) are highly effective in curing hepatitis C, with cure rates exceeding 95% in most cases. (WHO)
Signs and symptoms of Hepatitis C
The diagnosis of chronic hepatitis can be challenging because of the unavailability of symptoms in the early stages. When present, symptoms may include:
High fevers for prolonged periods
Extreme exhaustion
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Severe abdominal pain
Dark urine
Jaundice yellow discoloration of skin and eyes
Because most people may not notice these infection-type symptoms until the condition aggravates to a chronic stage, it is significantly important to treat and start detection at an early stage.
Getting started on testing and diagnosing
Hepatitis C is quite likely to go undetected because of the atypical symptoms during early formations; hence, routine testing in populations that are at a higher risk is crucial. Diagnostics consists of two steps.
Anti-HCV antibody test: This checks if a patient has ever had a Hepatitis C virus infection.
HCV RNA test: Only conducted on patients with chronic infection to verify the diagnosis. It’s the second test done after the first anti-HCV test is positive to find the virus.
Hepatitis C Treatments
Antiviral Medicines
Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi): Treating hepatitis C by blocking the virus from reproducing in the body. Sofosbuvir is commonly used, but in some countries, it can be very costly.
Daclatasvir (Daklinza): This is used alongside Sofosbuvir for various types of hepatitis C. Generic versions are available in affordable rates
Velpatasvir/Sofosbuvir (Epclusa): Treats all strains of hepatitis C. Epclusa cost varies with regions due to insurance coverage.
Elbasvir/Grazoprevir (Zepatier): Used in patients with liver issues. The pricing of Zepatier differs greatly, but assistance programs often help to mitigate the prices.
Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir (Harvoni): Pill treatment for specific strands. Harvoni cost is going down because of the surplus of generic measures.
Changes to Lifestyle with Hepatitis C
Cut down on smoking and drinking alcohol
Ensure that nutrition is 90% of your diet
Pursue physical activities daily
speak with your doctor once every month
Children and Young Teens
DAAs are encouraged for all adults and even kids from the age of three.
Treatments like these are extremely effective and have little impact on the body.
Most treatments last between three to six months and the results are really effective.
Intriguing Insights This infographic here shows some intuitive facts about this disease from the time of its emergence.
Hepatitis C preventative measures
The most effective tip for avoiding hepatitis C, which has yet to receive a suitable vaccine, is avoiding virus exposure completely. Certain groups of people such as those who engage in drug use, homosexual intercourse, and HIV-positive individuals, are prone to the illness.
Drug Harm Reduction
Drug users are less likely to contract hepatitis C if they participate in needle exchange and substance abuse programs or receive narcotic agonist therapy (OAT) treatment.
Screening Blood Donors
Hepatitis C, alongside other infections, is screened and examined in blood donations, making important steps hassle-free.
Healthcare Workers Training
There will be less potential for accidental exposure if healthcare personnel are intensively trained in emergency control.
Practicing Safe Sexual Behaviour
Applying male condoms in conjunction with other barrier strategies would trim the risk of viral transmission.
Conclusion
While hepatitis C does not currently have a cure, with proper detection, treatment, and changes in one’s lifestyle, it can be managed and even removed entirely from the body.
The remarkable point is to not come in contact with the virus, which is possible because of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that are highly effective.
Prevention of hepatitis is impossible because there’s no vaccine; however, its transmission is kept at bay with the adoption of safe medical practices, attempts to reduce harm to drug users, and encouraging safe sex.
FAQ’s
Ans: Hepatitis C is a viral infection that most typically affects the liver and, if untreated, might develop into a chronic liver disease, draft, or even putative liver neoplasm.
Ans: Most commonly, the virus is transmitted via blood, which could occur while sharing injecting needles, having unprotected intercourse, or through unsafe medical procedures.
Ans: Antiviral therapy, mainly direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), as with most other diseases, poses a therapy challenge. HCV infections respond well to these therapies, as over 95% of patients are cured.
