Digestive System Disorders. Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C

What Is Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is an infectious, bloodborne disease. It is caused by a virus called the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The disease causes an infection which results in inflammation of the liver which does not manifest itself with visible symptoms; however it does result in scarring of the liver (known as cirrhosis) and liver cancer. The course and the outcome of hepatitis C varies on a large scale. On one end of it, the patient my not experience any symptoms at all and therefore have completely normal levels of serum enzymes, however the usual blood test results might indicate liver disease. Liver biopsies of these patients may also show some degree of liver injury, but with the mild extent of it at this stage, the prognosis may be good. On the other end of the spectrum of hepatitis C, patients experience symptoms as well as elevated serum enzymes, and high levels of the virus itself in the serum. These patients will ultimately develop cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. People who have the disease that are in the middle of the spectrum have few to no symptoms but have mild to moderate elevations in liver enzymes as well as an uncertain prognosis.

What Are The Risk Factors For Hepatitis C?

There are several groups that may be at high risk for the hepatitis C, and it is recommended that people who fit into these groups should undergo testing for hepatitis C virus. Among these groups include:

People Who Have Received Blood Transfusions Or Solid Organ Transplants Before July of 1992: The hepatitis C virus was first isolated in 1989; however, tests that were reliable enough to screen for it were not available until 1992. Therefore, a patient who has received blood and other blood products prior to the implementation of HCV screening may have been exposed to the virus itself. Note that the risk factor of getting hepatitis C through blood transfusions, organ transplants and other blood products has dropped dramatically since the implementation of the screening.

People Who Use Drugs Through Injection: People who have used illicit drugs through injection are at an increased risk for getting hepatitis C due to the sharing of contaminated needles. It is estimated that anywhere between 60% to 80% of all IV drug users in the United States have been infected with the virus.

People Who Use Inhaled Drugs: Drugs such as cocaine and crystal methamphetamine are often inhaled through the nose with the use of straws. These straws are often the carrier of the virus in this case through the trace amounts of mucus and blood; especially when shared among the users.

People Who Use Improperly Sterilized Medical Or Dental Equipment: The equipment that is used in Medical and Dental offices that may harbor the virus when not properly sterilized, include syringes, needles, hygiene equipment, hemodialysis equipment, jet air guns and oral hygiene equipment ect. Scrupulous practice of sterilization techniques is a must in any doctor or dentist office to greatly reduce the risk of the virus and increase safety to the patients.

People Who's Occupations Involve Exposure To Blood: Occupations in emergency personnel, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, paramedics and emergency medical technicians as well as military combat personnel can be exposed to the hepatitis C virus through blood splatter to the eyes and open wounds as well as accidental needle sticks. Risks are reduces significantly when universal precautions are made.

People With Tattoos And Body Piercing: The tools used, such as piercing implements, ink pots, stylus and tattoo dyes can carry the hepatitis C virus if the proper sterilization techniques are not followed. Professional parlors follow proper sterilization techniques while underground, unprofessional piercing or tattoos run the greater risk of the virus due to the possible insufficiency of sterilization.

Those Who Share Personal Care Items: Those who share items such as toothbrushes, razors, manicure or pedicure equipment are at risk of getting the virus because these items can easily contaminated with blood (and may not be sterilized). Fortunately, the hepatitis C virus cannot be transmitted through shared food, cooking utensils, hugging, kissing or other casual contact.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hepatitis C?

Many people who have hepatitis C do not experience any symptoms of liver disease; however, some people experience symptoms that are usually mild, intermittent and nonspecific. These symptoms include abdominal pain that is located on the upper right side, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, fever, diarrhea and muscle and joint pains. Other people may experience light colored stools, dark yellow urine and yellowish eyes and skin.

How Is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?

Hepatitis C is diagnosed through physical exams as well as blood tests and liver biopsies. Among these tests include the Anti-HCV, HCV RIBA, HCV-RNA Viral Load or Quantitative HCV and Viral genotyping tests.

Anti-HCV test shows exposure to the hepatitis C that one might have had in the past by detecting the presence of antibodies to the virus.

HCV RIBA test confirms the presence of antibodies to the virus. However, like the Anti-HCV, it can only indicate exposure to the virus but cannot tell if the patient in infected with it.

HCV-RNA test determines whether the virus is in the blood which indicates an active infection. This test can also be used after treatment see if the virus has left the body.

Viral Load or Quantitative HCV are test that measure the number of viral RNA particles in the blood. These tests are used before and during the treatment to determine the response to the treatments.

Viral genotyping tests are used to determine the kind of virus that is present since there are 6 major types of hepatitis C viruses. This test is often ordered before treatment is done to give an idea of the likelihood of success and length of treatment.

How is Hepatitis C Treated?

Hepatitis C is treated with injections of a drug called peginterferon; this drug is also combined with another drug in pill form called ribavirin. Other medicines to treat hepatitis C include interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin, interferon alfacon-1,interferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2b; all of which are injected daily, every other day or 3 times a week. The length of treatment depends on the severity of the disease.

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Hepatitis C