Hepatitis C is a Viral Disease spread by Blood-to-Blood Contact
Hepatitis C is a Viral Disease spread by Blood-to-Blood Contact
By Viola Woolcott
Hepatitis C is a viral disease, which is caused by the hepatotropic virus. The virus is spread by blood-to-blood contact. The infection can cause liver inflammation without obvious reason and can at a later result cause chronic hepatitis which would lead to liver cirrhosis as well as liver cancer. It has been estimated that 150-200 million people in the world are infected with the viral disease.
Intravenous drug users, tattoos, body-piercings or those who have been exposed to contaminated blood through unsafe sex as well as blood transfusions and unscreened blood are at a higher risk for getting the disease.
Dietary changes as well as early medical intervention are helpful, but people with HCV infection very often experience mild or no symptoms at all, therefore they do not need to be treated.
The first 6 months after an infection with Hepatitis C are classed as acute. During the acute phase, 60%-70% of people develop no symptoms after infection.
Acute symptoms for Hepatitis C may include:
>> Jaundice
>> Abdominal pains
>> Itching
>> Flue- like symptoms
After infection, the virus is normally detectable through a blood test. Antibodies to the virus are usually detectable within 3-12 weeks.
Chronic Hepatitis C infection lasts more than 6 months. Clinically it is without jaundice and mainly noticed by accident. The natural course varies from one Person to another, but most people infected suffer from liver inflammation. Scaring of the liver has also been reported.
Chronic symptoms for Hepatitis C may include:
>> Fatigue
>> Marked weight loss
>> Muscle pain
>> Joint pain
>> Flu-like symptoms
>> Irregular low-grade fever
>> Sleep disturbances
>> Itching
>> Abdominal pain - especially under the right side of the ribs
>> Nausea
>> Appetite changes
>> Diarrhoea
>> Cognitive changes
>> Depression
>> Dyspepsia - Acid indigestion
>> Headaches
>> Mood swings
Once progressed to liver cirrhosis, symptoms as well as signs could appear that may be caused by decreased liver function or maybe by increased pressure in the actual liver circulation, which is known to be portal hypertension.
Personal care items can easily be contaminated with blood, such as:
>> Razors
>> Cuticle scissors
>> Toothbrushes
>> Manicuring as well as Pedicuring equipment
Hepatitis C is NOT spread through contact such hugging, kissing, sharing of cooking or eating tools.
Related links:
Hepatitis A | HAV | Faecal-Oral Contact | Toys | Unclean Food Handlers
Hepatitis B is Highly Contagious through Infected Blood and Other Bodily Fluids
Filed under: Health and Diet on December 4th, 2007
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