Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C

Disorder – Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a deadly infectious disease that is majorly known to affect the liver. The disease is caused by Hepatitis C virus. In most instances, the infection is asymptomatic although chronic infections can sometimes lead to cirrhosis whose evidence is witnessed after many years. The patients who unluckily develop the liver cirrhosis ultimately develop liver cancer, liver failure, and other liver related complications (Roybal & Keeffe, 2002).

Etiology

Hepatitis C virus is the cause of Hepatitis C. It is spread through blood-to-blood contact. The blood-blood contact can come about as a result of factors such as intravenous use of drugs, blood transfusion and the use of poorly or unsterilized medical equipment. The virus usually persists in the liver. This has been proven with a rate of about 85% of those infected (Gallin, Fauci, Liang, & Hoofnagle, 2000). Since this disease spread as a result of blood-blood contact, other factors that may lead to the blood-blood contact with an infected individual is capable of causing this infection. As such, sharing sharp objects used for hair shaving, nail cutting, which may lead to blood contact with an infected person, can cause the disease. Sexual intercourse with an infected person may also cause this disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of this infection depend on whether the infection is acute or chronic. For acute hepatitis C infection, the symptoms can be said to be very mild or vague. The patient is likely to experience a reduction in appetite, fatigue and nausea. Moreover, there are usually joint and muscle pains. The patient is also highly likely to experience significant loss of weight. It should be noted that these acute symptoms are experienced in about 15% of the Hepatitis C infections.

Chronic infection is developed by over 80% of those who suffer the infection. During the initial few decades of infection, majority of the infected experience mild or no symptoms at all. Chronic Hepatitis C is associated with a lot of fatigue.  After many years, the chronic Hepatitis C becomes the primary cause of liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Over 20% of those infected develop liver cirrhosis (Schilling, 2006).

Epidemiology

Hepatitis C affects only human beings and chimpanzees. The world statistics shows that the number of people infected is estimated at over 3 million every years. It is also estimated that about 400,000 people die from this condition or complications related very closely to it (Shors, 2011).

The disease primarily affects the liver and is a major cause of liver cirrhosis. It is transmitted by blood-blood contact with those who are infected. Those infected are always prone to the virus even after liver transplantation. Hepatitis C virus is majorly transmitted through Intravenous Drug Use. On the other hand, in the developing countries, the primary mode of transmission of the infection is blood transfusion and unsafe medical procedures.

Treatment

It should be noted from the onset that there is no vaccine currently available for Hepatitis C infection. It is very rare for the infection to clear without treatment.  Those with this condition should avoid alcohol if their survival is to be enhanced. Medications that could be toxic to the liver should also be avoided by the patients. Treatment also involves vaccination against Hepatitis A and B (Sir, 2008). Moreover, ultrasound surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma is very important for people who happen to have accompanying cirrhosis.

References

Gallin, J. I., Fauci, A. S., Liang, T. J., & Hoofnagle, J. H. (2000). Hepatitis C. Waltham:

Academic Press.

Roybal, B. A., & Keeffe, E. B. (2002). Hepatitis C: A Personal Guide to Good Health. Berkeley:

Ulysses Press.

Schilling, J. (2006). Managing Chronic Disorders. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Shors. (2011). Understanding Viruses. Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.

Sir, D. (2008). Autophagy and Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B Viruses. Michigan: ProQuest

Publishers.

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