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Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is
transmitted by contact with the infected blood. HCV may survive on
environmental surfaces at room temperature at least 16 hours, but no longer
than 4 days. The virus infects about 4 million Americans and roughly 200 million people
worldwide.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
55%-85% of infected persons may become chronically infected and 70% of chronic
HCV infections may develop chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver
cancer. About 1%-5% of infected persons may die from chronic liver
diseases.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Most (~ 80%) infected persons have no signs or symptoms. Others may have
the following symptoms:
- yellow skin or yellowing of the whites of eyes (jaundice)
- tiredness
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- abdominal discomfort
- dark urine
HCV infection can be diagnosed by blood tests that detect either the
antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) or the presence and amount of the virus using
polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) or other techniques.
Prevention
- There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.
- Do not shoot drugs; if you shoot drugs, stop and get into a treatment
program; if you can't stop, never share needles, syringes, water, or
"works", and get vaccinated against hepatitis A & B.
- Do not share personal care items that might have blood on them (razors,
toothbrushes).
- If you are a health care or public safety worker, always follow routine
barrier precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps; get
vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- Consider the risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or body
piercing. You might get infected if the tools have someone else's blood on
them or if the artist or piercer does not follow good health practices.
- HCV can be spread by sex, but this is rare. If you are having sex with
more than one steady sex partner, use latex condoms* correctly and every
time to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. You should
also get vaccinated against hepatitis B.
- If you are HCV positive, do not donate blood, organs, or tissue.
Treatment
- HCV positive persons should be evaluated by their doctor for liver
disease.
- Interferon and ribavirin are two drugs licensed for the treatment of
persons with chronic hepatitis C.
- Interferon can be taken alone or in combination with ribavirin.
Combination therapy, using pegylated interferon and ribavirin, is
currently the treatment of choice.
- Combination therapy can get rid of the virus in up to 5 out of 10
persons for genotype 1 and in up to 8 out of 10 persons for genotype 2 and
3.
- Drinking alcohol can make your liver disease worse.
Reference:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA.
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