A viral infection that causes inflammation (swelling) of the liver is called hepatitis C. This infection can cause serious liver damage and it may spread to other people through direct contact with the blood of an infected person. However, there are new antiviral medications that can help lessen the symptoms and cure chronic (long-lasting) hepatitis C.
In any case, most people with hepatitis C do not know they have it because the infection does not cause any symptoms. If you are concerned about this infection, you can see a doctor for screening.
Symptoms
Whenever hepatitis C occurs it starts with an acute form. During this phase, it is challenging to diagnose it because usually does not cause any symptoms. However, sometimes people may experience the following symptoms in the acute phase. These include muscle aches, fever, nausea, extreme tiredness, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin).
For those who experience hepatitis C for long periods (chronic), the symptoms may not occur for years. Symptoms appear often when damage to the liver is serious. For example:
- Bruising and bleeding easily
- Lack of appetite
- Dark urine
- Itching
- Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdominal region)
- Weight loss
- Hepatic encephalopathy (including confusion, sleepiness, and slurred speech)
- Angiomas (spider-like blood vessels on the skin)
Furthermore, not every time acute phase becomes chronic and people get rid of the infection during the acute phase. This process is called spontaneous viral clearance. Sometimes, doctors recommend antiviral therapy that helps to treat the infection in the acute phase.
Causes
This liver infection occurs due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and it can spread to other people through direct contact with the blood of an infected person.
In addition, there are different hepatitis C types including 7 genotypes and 67 subtypes. The most common hepatitis C genotype in the U.S. is type 1. Moreover, chronic hepatitis C anyway follows the same course not depending on the genotype of the infecting virus but treatment depends on the viral genotype.
Hepatitis C Testing
It is very important to be screened for hepatitis C especially if you are between 18 and 79 years old or you are at increased risk of developing the infection. Moreover, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises screening for the following people. Examples include:
- Babies that were born with hepatitis C
- People with atypical liver test results, hemophilia, long-term hemodialysis, or HIV infection
- Those who are sexually active and take medicines to prevent HIV (pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP)
- People who donated organ transplants or blood before 1992
- People who were in prison
- Emergency and healthcare workers who were in contact with blood
Complications
Those who experience this infection for long periods may experience some complications. These include:
- Cirrhosis – This is a condition in which scarring of the liver tissue occurs. It prevents the normal functioning of the liver.
- Liver cancer – This complication occurs rarely in people with hepatitis C.
- Liver failure – When a lot of scarring of the liver tissue occurs, the liver stops working at all.
Prevention
The following tips may help you protect against hepatitis C. For example:
- Do not use illegal drugs
- Practice safe sex using condoms or dental dams. Otherwise, your risk of getting hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases increases.
- It is very important to ensure that the tools used for tattooing or piercing are clean. In case employees do not want to answer your questions, find another shop.
Diagnosis
If screenings show that you have hepatitis C, doctors may perform other tests to determine:
- The genotype of the virus
- Virus load (this is a test that measures the amount of HCV in the blood)
Check below other tests that help to confirm the condition:
- MRE (magnetic resonance elastography) – This is a painless test that helps to get detailed images of the liver. It can help to identify fibrosis (scarring of the liver, infections, and others). This procedure can be used instead of a biopsy.
- Transient elastography – This test also is used to determine liver stiffness. It involves sound waves sent to the liver tissue. According to how fast vibrations go through the tissue of the liver, doctors understand liver damage.
- Liver biopsy – During this test, doctors will take a small sample of tissue to be checked in the laboratory.
- Blood tests – Several blood tests can help to determine the amount of scarring in the liver.
Treatment
Antiviral Medications
This group of medicines is usually recommended by doctors to treat hepatitis C infection. The treatment goal is to destroy the virus that causes this liver infection. Moreover, there are some new antiviral medicines (direct-acting) that have improved results and reduced adverse reactions. The treatment with these new medications lasts roughly 2 months but the length of the treatment and type of medicine depends on the genotype of hepatitis C you have. It also depends on the severity of liver damage, existing health problems, and other treatments you may follow.
Liver Transplantation
This treatment option is often recommended by doctors in severe cases because the liver stops working. In most cases, transplanted livers come from dead donors. Unfortunately, liver transplants cannot cure hepatitis C alone and there is a risk that the infection will return. Therefore, doctors prescribe antiviral medications to prevent the recurrence of the infection. In addition, rarely people can cure this liver infection with new antiviral medicines before a liver transplant.
Vaccinations
However, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C available but doctors usually recommend vaccines for hepatitis A and B viruses. While hepatitis A and B also cause damage to the liver these infections can worsen hepatitis C.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of hepatitis C?
- Jaundice
- Lack of appetite
- Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
- Joint pain
- Dark urine
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Not whenever previous symptoms occur, means you have hepatitis C. In any case, it is advised to see a doctor to determine the cause of the symptoms.
Can hepatitis C be cured?
Yes, with early diagnosis and proper treatment, this liver infection can be cured. It is very important to follow the treatment exactly as recommended by your doctor because there is a risk of recurrence of the infection.
What is the most effective treatment option for hepatitis C?
DAA tablets are considered the most safer and effective medications for people with this liver infection. These medicines help clear the infection in more than 90% of cases. The treatment with DAA tablets usually lasts between 8-12 weeks but it depends on the hepatitis C type you experience. If you have additional questions, ask your healthcare professional.
