Hepatitis C is a viral infection that attacks the liver, causing widespread liver inflammation and a decrease in liver function. Those most at risk for contracting the virus include intravenous drug users, health care workers, hemodialysis patients, children of infected mothers, and anyone who received an organ transplant prior to 1992, when testing for the infection began. Treatment of hepatitis C depends on the extent of illness and the severity of symptoms. There is no cure for the disease, although a small percentage of people effectively fight off the virus on their own.
Significance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that more than 3 million Americans have chronic hepatitis C, with nearly 20,000 new cases occurring each year. As many as 85 percent of infected people develop chronic infection, with many showing no symptoms until serious liver damage has occurred. Because many people do not know they are infected, they may put loved ones at risk for the infection, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.
Symptoms
In many cases, infection with hepatitis C causes no symptoms. When early symptoms do appear, they are typically mild and may resemble the flu. Fatigue, nausea, liver tenderness, and joint or muscle aches are common early symptoms of infection. As the illness progresses, fatigue may worsen, appetite often becomes suppressed, and jaundice and fever may develop. In severe cases, liver function may become compromised and symptoms of liver failure may be present.
Treatment
Diagnosis of hepatitis C is done with a blood test. If you test positive, the specific genotype of your virus will be determined before a treatment plan is developed. Not everyone diagnosed with hepatitis C requires treatment. Treatment focuses on limiting the extent of the damage caused by the disease and improving symptoms. Drugs such as pegylated interferon alfa and ribaviris may be given to help clear the virus from the body. These medications have a success rate of 40 to 80 percent when used together, according to the Mayo Clinic. Liver transplantation may be necessary if the virus causes severe liver damage.
Prevention
At this time, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C. Prevention of infection is through avoidance of contact with contaminated blood. Sharing needles during drug use with someone infected with hepatitis C, or undergoing a blood transfusion with contaminated blood, are the two primary methods of transmission. The disease may also be transmitted from a mother to her baby during birth, which makes prenatal testing for hepatitis C essential. Many doctors recommend vaccination against hepatitis A and B to reduce the risk of complications caused by hepatitis C infection.
Warning
Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. The majority of people with hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Infection with the virus also increases the risk of several lymphatic cancers, and the hepatitis virus may increase your chance of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma by as much as 30 percent.
Tags: with hepatitis, according Mayo, according Mayo Clinic, chronic hepatitis, contaminated blood