| Hepatitis C is a stealthy virus that mutates | | | | itching, and autoimmune problems resulting |
| while hiding in liver cells and other organ | | | | from your body's immune system attacking |
| cells like the spleen and gall bladder. The | | | | normal cells. |
| fact that the viral cells "hide" makes it | | | | |
| very difficult for the body's immune system | | | | Long term HCV infection may result in |
| to eradicate it. Hepatitis C is a slowly | | | | fibrosis or even cirrhosis of the liver. |
| progressing disease sometimes taking many | | | | Fibrosis results from unchecked liver |
| years until symptoms are noticeable. It is at | | | | inflammation. As the HCV infection |
| this point that the virus has reached | | | | progresses, the damage to the liver results |
| advanced chronic stage and becomes difficult | | | | in scarring or hardening of the liver cells |
| to eradicate. Hepatitis C results in 8,000 to | | | | (fibrosis). Long term fibrosis may lead to |
| 10,000 deaths annually. Hepatitis C is also | | | | cirrhosis which is when the scarring from |
| the leading cause of liver transplants in the | | | | fibrosis overtakes the normal liver cell |
| U.S. | | | | structure causing deformity and loss of |
| | | | function in the liver. About 15%-20% of HCV |
| Hepatitis C infection is caused by blood | | | | patients end up with cirrhosis. A liver |
| contact with someone who has the virus | | | | biopsy is currently the most accurate means |
| infection himself. The transmission of the | | | | of determining the amount of inflammation and |
| virus can occur by illicit drug use with | | | | fibrosis the liver has sustained. |
| needles, sharing toothbrushes or razors with | | | | |
| an infected person, by sexual means, by | | | | Hepatitis C progression in the body can take |
| unsanitary tattooing or by exposure to blood | | | | several years or even decades to come to |
| at your workplace (like a hospital or blood | | | | chronic stage or to a stage where severe |
| bank). Some HCV infection may have been | | | | liver damage is evident. This period of time |
| caused by receiving blood from a transfusion | | | | allows a person to determine how to properly |
| prior to 1992. | | | | treat the disease and to decide on a course |
| | | | of disease management. Currently, the main |
| Hepatitis C is diagnosed via a blood test. | | | | treatment for HCV infection to eradicate the |
| Usually, the first thing that is noticed is | | | | virus is combo alpha-interferon and |
| that the liver enzyme levels for ALT and AST | | | | Ribavirin. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe |
| are elevated well above normal levels. | | | | interferon alone. Interferon comes in |
| Further investigation via HCV-RNA testing | | | | standard form or in pegylated form. Standard |
| identifies whether the Hepatitis C virus is | | | | form interferon is administered 3 times per |
| in your blood or not. Other tests for HCV | | | | week, while the pegylated form is |
| include qualitative viral load tests, which | | | | administered only once per week. Your body |
| measure the RNA particles in your blood. If | | | | makes its own interferon, which is a protein |
| you are being treated for HCV, your doctor is | | | | that fights viral infection and viral |
| probably using either a HCV-RNA or viral load | | | | replication. |
| test to determine the effectiveness of the | | | | |
| treatment. | | | | Hepatitis C may often be managed by taking |
| | | | herbal and vitamin supplements that help your |
| The symptoms of Hepatitis C infection often | | | | body fight infection and limit inflammation. |
| do not occur in a person until 20 years after | | | | These supplements help your liver with the |
| he/she had been infected. Since the HCV | | | | inflammation and give it the nutrients it |
| infects the liver and the liver is the organ | | | | needs to regenerate healthy new cells. Your |
| in the body that makes all the energy for our | | | | doctor can recommend alternative or adjunct |
| daily activities possible, liver function | | | | solutions you may want to try. |
| deterioration often results in fatigue. | | | | |
| Fatigue is the primary complaint or symptom | | | | Proper treatment of the disease, a healthy |
| of HCV infection. Other more severe symptoms | | | | and active lifestyle, a good diet, abstinence |
| are jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes), | | | | from alcohol and stress management are |
| bile retention (which can cause jaundice), | | | | important factors in controlling Hepatitis C |
| portal vein hypertension, skin rashes and | | | | progression. |