Hepatitis C: What you need to know

Hepatitis C is virus that attacks the liver. Hepatitis C (HCV) is one of the six hepatitis viruses. The others are A, B, D, E, and G. There are two types of HCV, chronic and acute. Acute is within 6 months of infection. And chronic is after 6 months of infection. Hepatitis C is usually mild in the early stages and often goes undetected until it has done some damage to your liver. HCV over time could lead to liver cancer and liver failure. HCV is transmitted through blood to blood contact.

Examples are:

transfusions,

injected drug use,

improperly sterilized dental equipment,

contact sports,

body piercings and tattoos,

personal items (razors, toothbrushes, etc)

and passed from mother to child.

It cannot be transmitted by hugging, kissing or sharing utensils. So share them hugs!!

Although vaccines are available for Hepatitis A and B, there isnt one for Hepatitis C.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually dont surface right away. Generally one finds out during a routine blood tests.

Symptoms included:

flu-like symptoms

fatigue

poor/lack of appetite

low grade fever

nausea

itching

depression

jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the white part of your eyes)

and soreness around the liver area (obvious, yes I know)

Treatment

The most commonly way to treat HCV is with drugs called Pegylated Interferon Alfa and Ribavirin. These two meds combined clear the infection in 40 percent to 80 percent. The duration of treatment depends of which genotype you have. If you have Genotype 1 (the most common found in the US), your doctor may recommend a highdose of medication for 48 weeks. If you have Genotype 2 or 3, a lower dose for 24 weeks should suffice.

One important note that i read while looking up information, is that the combination of the meds may cause suicidal behavior/thoughts in a small number of people. If you have a history of depression, treatment with interferon probably may not be right for you.

Side effects of the meds include flu like symptoms. They are also severe which can be treated with pain relief meds and antidepressants.Apparently that the side effects are so severe that some people have to reduce their dose while others have to stop altogether.

Another treatment is liver transplant. Ive read this is mainly for end stage liver disease. Liver transplant doesnt cure HCV. Most transplants have a recurrence of the HCV.

Why am I telling you all of this?

I am telling you all this because two weeks ago I had a routine blood test done to check my thyroid, cholesterol, red blood cells, etc etc. Everything came back fine except that the screening for Hepatitis C came back abnormal (versus normal). A screening doesnt mean I have HCV, as it could be a false-positive. I go back for a confirmation test soon. I am also having an ultrasound done on my liver on Monday, the 11th. I also visit a gastroenterologists on the 18th. Then I go back to my regular doctor on the 26th to find out the results from everything.

My point in writing up this post is to educate not only myself, but others about this virus that is becoming an epidemic.

Epidemic.org stated, “It is suspected that there are, at present, more than 5 million people in the United States that are infected with Hepatitis C, and perhaps as many as 200 million around the world. This makes it one of the greatest public health threats faced in this century, and perhaps one of the greatest threats to be faced in the next century. Without rapid intervention to contain the spread of the disease, the death rate from hepatitis C will surpass that from AIDS by the turn of the century and will only get worse.”

That is a pretty powerful statement. Please think about what you have read and maybe pass on this knowledge to someone you love/care about.

Thank you for listening. For those who care, I will have a follow up post on my results as soon as I know.

References:

www.mayoclinic.com

www.epidemic.org

www.wikipedia.com