Hepatitis C (HCV) - Hep C
Hepatitis is the name given to a group of viruses which cause
inflammation
and swelling of the liver. The name, "Hepatitis", although now commonly
applied to the various strains and subtypes of virus, actually means
"inflammation or swelling of the liver".
There are several strains of virus which cause hepatitis, the most commonly
occurring ones being; Hepatitis A Virus (HAV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)
and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
People who have the hepatitis virus may not show any signs or symptoms
of infection or the disease may develop over a period of weeks or months.
At particular risk for all hepatitis infections is anyone who uses street
drugs since concealment of drugs within the mouth, vagina or rectum
at some stage during their transportation to the end user is not an
uncommon practice.
Hepatitis C (HCV) - Hep C
Hepatitis C (HCV) is quickly outstripping Hepatitis B as the
most common form of chronic hepatitis in the world.
Hepatitis C, unlike other forms of hepatitis, leads to chronic infection
in over 80% of cases and chronic liver disease in over 70% of infected
people.
Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood or other body fluids. Hep C appears
to be particularly hardy and can be transmitted indirectly, for example,
a razor or a toothbrush may contain minute, but infective quantities
of the virus.
Transmission of Hep C is often as a result of drug use, and may account
for over 50% of cases; from 'shooting up' using shared needles, or surprisingly,
through the sharing of cocaine-snorting straws via the transfer of blood
from tiny hemorrhages caused by snorting the drug.
Poor hygiene practices at acupuncturists, tattoo or body / ear-piercing
establishments have all contributed to the spread of the virus.
Transmission of hepatitis C through sexual contact is rare, though there
is strong evidence that sexual contact is one mode of transmission.
Therefore, barrier contraception (using condoms) is to be encouraged.
Although hepatitis C was suspected to exist, it was only as late as
1989 that a reliable blood test was developed and therefore anyone who
received a blood transfusion prior to 1993 may have contracted the virus.
The rate of infection via blood transfusion during this period is estimated
to be around 10%.
Groups who remain at risk of contracting the virus are those whose occupation
or lifestyle brings them into regular contact with the blood or body
fluids of infected people.
Hepatitis C Symptoms
It should be noted that 80% of people who become infected with hepatitis
C (hep C) will show no symptoms until the later stages of chronic liver
disease have developed, which may take many years.
Symptoms of hepatitis C may include any or all of the following:
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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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dark urine
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jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the
whites of the eye)
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Hepatitis C (HCV) Treatment
There is no vaccination available for hepatitis C.
Treatment for chronic hepatitis C is currently interferon and ribavirin.
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