Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified in 1987, and it is now believed that almost 300 million people are infected. The first six months after infection are referred to as acute hepatitis. After that the disease is called chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis C treatment conventionally involved antiviral drugs like ribavarin, Pegasys and PEG-Intron. These often have quite bad, and physically demanding, side effects, especially difficult for some patients such as ex-drug and alcohol abusers, and some may favor homeopathic treatments.
Most cases of hepatitis are caused by viruses, which include hepatitis types A-E. The existence of hepatitis C (HCV) was first suspected in the 1970s, and the virus was definitively identified in 1987. It is now believed that 300 million people are infected around the world.
The HCV virus is transmitted by blood to blood contact. This can be via blood transfusions, unsterilized needles, sexual contact, or other blood contact (e. G. During contact sports). In developing countries transmission is often via blood transfusions (because of inadequate screening), and via unsterilized injection equipment in medical procedures.
In the US, and other developed countries, good medical practice, and blood donor screening make transmission during medical procedures quite rare. However a great many people were infected before the virus was identified, and effectively screened for during blood donations.
Most commonly in the developed world people become infected with HCV via unsterilized needles, often being shared by groups of intravenous drug abusers. Tattooing and body piercing equipment are also common routes for the infection to spread. Sexual transmission is now believed to be relatively uncommon, and really only a problem in the presence of any other STD which might cause open sores in the genital area.
The first six months of infection are classified as the acute phase of hepatitis. In up to 70 per cent of infections there are no symptoms at all, and in the remaining cases the symptoms can be rather non-specific and possibly flu-like, making diagnosis at the acute stage rather rare. If there are symptoms they can include fatigue, abdominal pains, jaundice, itching and loss of appetite.
Hepatitis infections lasting over 6 months are called chronic hepatitis. Often there are no symptoms, and the disease is not uncovered until a routine medical check, such as might occur during pregnancy, or when applying to become a blood donor. Although symptomless, the disease is causing liver scarring, eventually leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Due to the short time (about 20 years) in which hepatitis C has been studied, there are differing opinions about the long term prognosis for patients. Some estimates say that two thirds will develop cirrhosis within 30 years if the disease is left untreated, but other estimates are much lower than this.
The usual medical HCV treatment involves a course (up to 48 weeks, depending on HCV genotype) of antiviral drugs. This can be a very physically difficult treatment for some, especially for former alcohol and drug abusers. Some patients choose homeopathic remedies which have less side effects, and can show a reduction in the viral load.
Most cases of hepatitis are caused by viruses, which include hepatitis types A-E. The existence of hepatitis C (HCV) was first suspected in the 1970s, and the virus was definitively identified in 1987. It is now believed that 300 million people are infected around the world.
The HCV virus is transmitted by blood to blood contact. This can be via blood transfusions, unsterilized needles, sexual contact, or other blood contact (e. G. During contact sports). In developing countries transmission is often via blood transfusions (because of inadequate screening), and via unsterilized injection equipment in medical procedures.
In the US, and other developed countries, good medical practice, and blood donor screening make transmission during medical procedures quite rare. However a great many people were infected before the virus was identified, and effectively screened for during blood donations.
Most commonly in the developed world people become infected with HCV via unsterilized needles, often being shared by groups of intravenous drug abusers. Tattooing and body piercing equipment are also common routes for the infection to spread. Sexual transmission is now believed to be relatively uncommon, and really only a problem in the presence of any other STD which might cause open sores in the genital area.
The first six months of infection are classified as the acute phase of hepatitis. In up to 70 per cent of infections there are no symptoms at all, and in the remaining cases the symptoms can be rather non-specific and possibly flu-like, making diagnosis at the acute stage rather rare. If there are symptoms they can include fatigue, abdominal pains, jaundice, itching and loss of appetite.
Hepatitis infections lasting over 6 months are called chronic hepatitis. Often there are no symptoms, and the disease is not uncovered until a routine medical check, such as might occur during pregnancy, or when applying to become a blood donor. Although symptomless, the disease is causing liver scarring, eventually leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Due to the short time (about 20 years) in which hepatitis C has been studied, there are differing opinions about the long term prognosis for patients. Some estimates say that two thirds will develop cirrhosis within 30 years if the disease is left untreated, but other estimates are much lower than this.
The usual medical HCV treatment involves a course (up to 48 weeks, depending on HCV genotype) of antiviral drugs. This can be a very physically difficult treatment for some, especially for former alcohol and drug abusers. Some patients choose homeopathic remedies which have less side effects, and can show a reduction in the viral load.
About the Author:
If perhaps you plan to acquire out additional resources related to hepatitis or also related to hepatitis c symptoms you should really pay a visit to this web page http://www.e-hepatitis-c.com
