| 14 February |
Hepatitis C a Chronic Infection of liver |
Hepatitis C is an infectious liver disease, commonly caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). There is effective treatment available, but no vaccine to protect from infection. This infection is asymptomatic, so most of the people suffering are unaware that they have the problem. This problem can cause serious damage to the liver. World health organization estimates that three percent of the world’s population has chronic hepatitis C.
Chronic infection of liver can cause, scaring of liver and overtime liver cirrhosis. It can develop liver failure even liver cancer. Hepatitis C virus spreads through blood to blood contact like sharing needles while injecting recreational drugs. Most of the intravenous drug user suffers from this disease. You can get infection by the equipment used to draw tattoos or body piercing, if it is not properly sterilized. Hepatitis C can be sexually transmitted but it is uncommon. It can be transmitted by sharing toothbrush and razors. Before 1991 blood transfusion was one of the common routes for infection. But now blood is used after screening only.
In most of the cases, the initial infection doesn’t cause any symptoms. Some of the symptoms are
o Fatigue
o Abdominal pain
o Jaundice
o Loss of appetite
o Nausea
o Flu-like symptoms
o Pain in the liver area
The most common symptom seen is fatigue. It can be mild and sometimes even extreme.
People suffering from chronic hepatitis C should visit liver specialist doctor, who can recommend proper treatment. Hepatitis C can be treated by three ways
1 Alpha Interferon:-It was the first treatment approved for this disease. Alpha interferon is the host protein and has natural anti viral activity. Many recombinant form of alpha interferon have been produced which are now replaced by pegylated interferon. Peginterferon has been modified by the addition of large number of inert molecules of polyethylene glycol.
2. Ribavirin:-It is an oral antiviral agent and can be used against broad range of viruses.
3. Combination Therapy:-This therapy helps to remove detectable HCV RNA up to 70 percent of patient. Improvement in Hepatitis C can occur if HCV RNA disappears during therapy and remains undetectable even after the therapy.
