Hepatitis C – The facts

There is a wealth of information on Hepatitis C available but how can you be sure what is fact and what is fiction? Below you will find all the important facts about Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus (a virus passed by blood to blood contact) and is one of 6 different types of Hepatitis. Those who have suffered with Hepatitis C for less than six months are said to have Acute Hepatitis C while those who have had the infection for longer than six months have Chronic Hepatitis C.

Symptoms

Eighty to ninety percent of people who have Hepatitis C do not have any symptoms while the other ten to twenty percent suffer with fatigue, dark colored urine, nausea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. The majority of those with symptoms normally get diagnosed with a different condition before Hepatitis C is found to be the cause.

In long-term cases of Hepatitis C Fifty five to eighty five percent of all patients progress to chronic Hepatitis C, of which 70 percent suffer with chronic liver disease.

Transmission

High risk of infection

Injecting drug users
Sharing illegal drug paraphernalia

Medium risk of infection

Haemodialysis patients
Patients with undiagnosed liver problems
Infected mothers giving birth

Low risk of infection

Medical staff
Armed forces personnel
Sexual intercourse with an infected long partner
Emergency service staff
Sharing personal items like toothbrushes, razors etc

Treatment

Interferon and Ribavirin are two drugs that can be taken separately or together in a course of 24 to 48 weeks and can alleviate the symptoms and slow the inflammations build up of the liver.

While taking either drug and for six months post finishing the course you should not try for a child as the drug may affect the childs growth.

Interferon and Ribavirin have side affects like nausea, anemia, cardiovascular problems and even psychiatric problems.

Prevention

There is no vaccination against the Hepatitis C virus, try to keep yourself clear of infection by using your common sense and being careful. This means using contraceptives, going to reputable tattoo and piercing shops, avoiding contacting with the blood of another individual and do not take illegal drugs.

Interesting facts

* Hepatitis C was found in the 1970’s but not officially confirmed Hepatitis C until 1988
* Around 170 million people suffer with Hepatitis C world wide
* Most infections are caused by sharing paraphernalia in illegal drug use
* The risk of vertical transmission (passing from mother to baby during birth) is roughly between four and seven percent
* Pamela Anderson and Evil Knievel are famous Hepatitis C sufferers. Pamela believes she was infected from sharing a tattoo needle, Evil believes he contracted the infection during an operation
* Hepatitis is the Latin word for liver inflammation
* Hepatitis is the most common cause of liver transplants
* Hepatitis C is a single stranded virus that is fifty nano meters in length

So there you have a wealth of interesting facts that are true and correct, if you require more information about Hepatitis C you can visit your doctor or health care professional that should have a wealth of information available.