Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver due to hepatic C virus infection. Some people with hepatitis C can have chronic liver disease, to have liver cancer.
Hepatitis C is transmitted through the blood, which is when the patient’s blood enters the blood vessels of others. In addition, hepatitis C can also be transmitted through con**domless inter**course with sufferers.
Hepatitis C is prone to occur when:
- Share personal equipment, such as toothbrushes, scissors, or nail clippers, with sufferers.
- Obtain medical procedures with equipment that is not sterile.
Hepatitis C Symptoms
Most people with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms at an early stage. This results in the patient not knowing that he has hepatitis C until the condition is chronic.
However, not all hepatitis C develops into chronic. Almost half of people with hepatitis C will recover on their own.
Symptoms usually appear when a chronic infection of hepatitis has already caused damage to the liver. Symptoms that can be caused are weakness, no appetite, and jaundice.
Hepatitis C Causes
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus, which can move between humans in several ways, including:
- Alternating use of syringes – can be illegal drugs or in official medical measures
- Se**xual inter**course – especially for those suffering from se**xually transmitted diseases or HIV
- Passed down from pregnant woman to child
- Using infected items such as razors
- Tattooing or piercing
Hepatitis C can only be transmitted through the blood. A person cannot become infected with this virus through sneezing, coughing, or simultaneous use of goods. Hepatitis C is also unable to move through food or beverages. To date, hepatitis C has also not been shown to be able to move through mosquito bites.
When infected blood is outside the body, they can last only 16 hours – 4 days at room temperature. In this period of time, the virus can still be transmitted. When cleaning blood marks, personal protective equipment such as gloves should be worn. Blood should also be diluted to be disposed of with water and bleach liquid.
Hepatitis C Effects
Out of 100 people with hepatitis C,
- 1 in 4 people can be cured naturally, within a period of 12 months.
- The remaining 75% are still infected with the virus in their body, but it is likely that the sufferer does not feel the symptoms.
- Without treatment, approximately 30 of them will be seen symptoms, which will be felt within 10 to 15 years.
- After 20 years, approximately 10 will develop liver disease without treatment, 5 of them will have liver failure or liver cancer.
Most sufferers do not experience symptoms of hepatitis C. If the sufferer experiences symptoms, usually the usual symptoms are: always tiredness, nausea and pain in the lower abdomen.
Hepatitis C Screening
Blood tests can diagnose Hepatitis C infection. However, blood tests for Hepatitis C are not part of a regular routine; unless someone specifically asks for it, the infection remains in the liver for a long time and remains undiagnosed until severe symptoms appear.
Some people know that they are infected when they donate blood, because all the blood is donated thoroughly to HCV. Others knew they had Hepatitis C when they had to undergo a series of blood tests for other health problems. Abnormal levels of liver enzymes are a key indicator that a person’s liver may be infected or damaged.
Patients will be monitored regularly by doctors because chronic Hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis of the liver (wounds on the liver), liver failure, liver cancer and death.
Read also:
Liver Disease Diet: Benefits, Terms, and General Guide
Hepatitis C Prevention
Hepatitis C cannot yet be prevented by vaccination. To lower the risk of hepatitis C transmission, stop or not use illegal drugs, and do not share the use of personal items potentially contaminated with blood (such as nail clippers and toothbrushes). People with hepatitis C are more at risk for other types of hepatitis. Doctors generally recommend vaccinations to prevent hepatitis A and B.
