How is hepatitis C transmitted? What are hepatitis C causes, symptoms, and treatment? Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that causes liver infection. The disease causes liver damage and liver cirrhosis in the long term. The virus was discovered in 1989, and when it was not known yet, the events were similar to hepatitis A and hepatitis B, and this disease was referred to as non-A non-B hepatitis. Hepatitis C is a disease that generally does not show any symptoms until the late stages of the disease. This text will explain the causes, symptoms, and treatment of hepatitis C. You can also look at the symptoms and prevention of Hepatitis B by clicking here.
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease. The disease is caused by a virus called hepatitis C. It is transmitted from person to person through blood. It can also be transmitted by using the same syringe use or sexual contact.
Hepatitis C Causes (Infection)
- Using the same syringes
- Transplants with infected blood
- Organ transplants from infected persons
- Transfer from mother to child
Sexual contact with the person carrying the hepatitis C virus and the use of personal care items, such as a razor blade or toothbrush, where the infected person’s blood may be contaminated, also play a role in the transmission. Hepatitis C is not transmitted by eating the same food, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, shaking hands, coughing, sneezing, using the same toilet, swimming in the pool, playing with toys, traveling in the same vehicle, and so on.
Hepatitis C Symptoms
If you have any of the symptoms listed below, or if you think you are at risk for hepatitis C, tell your doctor. Depending on your risk factors and symptoms, your doctor may want to perform a hepatitis C test.
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Anorexia,
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Abdominal pain,
- Dark color urine,
- Stool color changes,
- Jaundice
Your treatment will depend on many things, including what type of hepatitis C virus you have. The most common type in The US is genotype 1, followed by genotypes 2 and 3. Genotypes 4,5 and 6 are very rare in the United States. Your doctor will help you find the right one for your medical needs. The symptoms usually last for 2 to 12 weeks. If acute infection turns into a chronic infection, signs of liver inflammation may develop. Infected individuals can easily get tired or complain of nonspecific symptoms. When cirrhosis develops, the following symptoms may occur;
- Increased liver enzymes in the blood
- Weakness
- Loss of appetite
- Breast enlargement in men (gynecomastia)
- Reddening of palms
- Abdominal pain
- Spider Nevus (swollen blood vessels)
Hepatitis C Treatment
What is the treatment of acute hepatitis C? There is no recommended treatment for acute hepatitis C virus infection. Persons with acute hepatitis C virus infection should be followed up by a doctor and should be considered for treatment only when their infection persists and becomes a chronic infection.
What is the treatment of chronic hepatitis C? There are various medications to treat chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis C treatments have become much better in recent years. Current treatments generally include only 8-12 weeks of oral therapy (pill) and treat more than 90% of people.
Although there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, your doctor will recommend that you be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B viruses. These are different viruses that cause liver damage and can complicate the course of chronic hepatitis C. Click here to read “Hepatitis A Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment”.
