A virus that only targets the liver is the cause of Hepatitis C. The issue here is that a majority of people with this virus do not realize it until severe damage has been inflicted on their liver.
According to WHO, the alarming figure is approximately 58 million people that are infected with the disease globally and around 1 million new cases are registered every year, which is exceptionally horrible.
Who Is Most At Risk?
Healthcare Workers and The Threat of Needle Sticks
Healthcare workers face risks of needles tick injuries. Blood from an infected person can be accidentally poured onto a needle or medical device. This risk can be minimized with sufficient training and other precautionary steps.
Drug Users
Sharing needles and other injection paraphernalia poses a danger because of Hepatitis C. Prevention involves properly discarding needles and never in any way partaking in sharing needles.
Body Art Enthusiasts
Welcome softer infections from poor hygiene standards of tattooing or body piercings studios. Many of those places won’t adhere to the proper sanitization of their tools and equipment. These threats can be avoided through complete sanitization of the implements.
Individuals with Multiple Sexual Partners
Those who engage in having more than one sexual partner are at a greater chance of contracting sexually transmitted diseases including Hepatitis C.
“Engaging in such risk activities can increase chances of infection”.
People Who Have Ongoing Liver Problems
People who carry ongoing problems with the liver or have a depleted immune system can be seriously affected by a hepatitis C virus. Such people may not present a strong response.
Stages of Hepatitis C
Early Infection
A person can get Hepatitis C after being exposed to the virus which is often through blood. A lot of individuals fall into this category where they don’t show any signs or symptoms and steps in treatment are not taken, it can begin to damage the liver over time.
Chronic Hepatitis C
For most patients with Hepatitis C their liver almost always suffers from extreme fibrosis. The inflammation remains in the liver which causes additional scarring due to chronic inflammation.
Severe Complications
Cirrhosis, hyperplastic liver, failure of the liver and in serious cases can even lead to a person developing liver cancer. These conditions can seriously damage the liver and are one of the most fatal conditions.
Myths and Facts About Hepatitis C
Myth: Hepatitis C is easily spread through casual contact.
Fact: Both oral and genital intercourse will not allow the transmission of disease. Hepatitis C will be spread from one infected person to another when there is blood to blood contact through sharing of syringes, transfusions and liver biopsies.
Myth: You can get Hepatitis C from a mosquito bite.
Fact: Mosquitoes cannot transmit Hepatitis C.
Myth: Hepatitis C always shows symptoms right away.
Fact: Most of the people suffering from the disease don’t show symptoms for years.
Myth: Hepatitis C is a death sentence.
Fact: The disease can be treated and cured by antiviral medicine.
Myth: Only people who use drugs are at risk for Hepatitis C.
Fact: People who had parenteral transfusions before 1992 or involved in promiscuous sexual activities can also catch Hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C Treatment Options
Medications that Fight Viruses
Hepatitis C is primarily treated by using antiviral drugs called Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) which destroy the virus.
There are many Hepatitis C medicine available for treatment, but some are more effective than others.
Ledipasvir: It is a potent Antiviral drug which is combined with the other drugs Sofosbuvir. It assists the body in blocking the virus’s replicative mechanism so that it can achieve a high cure rate in most Hepatitis C patients with side effects.
Glecaprevir: It is used in collaboration with Pibrentasvir in the treatment plan of Hepatitis C. This medicine has the potential of curing the disease in people with the infection in 8 weeks with over 90% success.
Sofosbuvir & Velpatasvir: Sofosbuvir & Velpatasvir are often combined as a powerful antiviral therapy for curing Hepatitis C. Velpatasvir is always paired with Sofosbuvir for treatment, improving therapy compliance and reducing the treatment duration to approximately 8-12 weeks.
Pibrentasvir: Pibrentasvir in conjunction with Glecaprevir prevents the replication of the virus. The combination is effective against all types of Hepatitis C and helps to minimize the critical consequences on the liver.
Surgical Removal of the Liver
A liver transplant may be required for patients who have severe cirrhosis or extensive damage of the liver. Moreover, if a person’s liver is dysfunctional, a transplant can resolve that issue.
Interferon (Now Less Common)
Initially, interferon injections were a standard treatment, though they have declined in use because there are now more effective and less harmful treatments. More modern medications may not be available for some patients and therefore, interferon may still be the preferred option.
Management of Care
Support care concentrates on care related to the symptoms and complications which stems from the infection. This means routine checks of all liver functions, handling liver cirrhosis, and healthy life changes to avert liver loss.
Shifts in Lifestyle
Apart from medical care, A person should stop drinking, start eating a healthy diet, and try to keep their weight within a healthy range. All these shifts will make a difference to one’s wellness and help in the overall functioning of the body.
Conclusion
Hepatitis C is a treacherous liver disease that develops insidiously, therefore making the patient’s prognosis considerably better if the condition is detected early. Those at higher risk are workers in the health sector, drug users, people with liver problems, and those who partake in other high-risk activities.
Curbing the spread of Hepatitis C involves refraining from sharing needles, safe sexual practices, and proper sanitation protocols during tattoos and piercings. Dietary modifications such as eating healthy, exercising, and abstaining from drugs or alcohol are good for the liver, too.
