Hepatitis C is a Liver Disease

Hepatitis C is a Liver Disease

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV = Hepatitis C virus). Hepatitis C virus entry into liver cells, using the genetic machinery in the cell to duplicate the Hepatitis C virus and then infect other cells.

15% of cases of Hepatitis C infection are acute, meaning the body automatically clean and there are no consequences. Unfortunately 85% of cases, hepatitis C infection becomes chronic and slowly damages the liver for years. In time, the liver can be damaged to cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), end-stage liver disease and liver cancer.

Hepatitis means swelling of the liver. Many kinds of viral hepatitis C. In many cases, the virus enters the body, began life in liver cells, disrupt the normal activity of these cells, then using the genetic machinery in the cell to duplicate the Hepatitis C virus and then infect other healthy cells.

If you have Hepatitis C, it is important to eat healthy foods and avoiding alcohol. Alcohol can worsen the damage your liver, whether you are in treatment or not.

One of the common symptoms of hepatitis C is chronic fatigue. Fatigue can also be a side effect of treatment of Hepatitis C. Fatigue caused by Hepatitis C can be resolved with adequate rest and perform a routine exercise.

Hepatitis C virus is very clever to transform themselves quickly. Today there are at least six major types of hepatitis C virus (often called the genotype) and more than 50 subtypes.

This is the reason why the body cannot effectively fight the virus and studies have not been able to make a vaccine against hepatitis C. Genotype does not determine how bad and how quickly the disease progression of Hepatitis C, however, certain genotypes may not respond as well as others in treatment.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Often people who suffer from Hepatitis C have no symptoms, although infection has occurred for many years.

If the symptoms below may have the vague:

* Tired

* Lost appetite

* Abdominal pain

* The urine becomes dark

* Yellowing of skin or eyes (called "jaundice") are rare

In some cases, hepatitis C can cause an increase in certain enzymes in the liver, which can be detected on routine blood tests. However, some patients with chronic hepatitis C have levels of liver enzymes or normal fluctuations.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to perform the test if you think you have the risk of contracting Hepatitis C or if you had any contact with contaminated people or objects. The only way to identify this disease is by blood tests.

Transmission of Hepatitis C

Transmission of Hepatitis C is usually through direct contact with blood or its products and needles or other sharp instruments contaminated. In many daily activities such as risk of infection by Hepatitis C cuts or nosebleeds, bleeding, or menstrual blood. Personal equipment exposed to contact by people with Hepatitis C can transmit the virus (such as toothbrushes, razors or manicure tools). Risk of Hepatitis C infection through sexual intercourse was higher in people who have more than one partner.

Transmission of Hepatitis C rarely occurs from Hepatitis C infected mothers to newborns or other family members. However, if the mother is also HIV positive, the risk of transmitting hepatitis C is very much possible. Breastfeeding does not transmit hepatitis C.

If you have Hepatitis C, you cannot spread hepatitis C to others through hugs, handshakes, sneezing, coughing, sharing eating utensils and drinking, casual contact, or other contacts that are not exposed to blood. A person who is infected with Hepatitis C can infect others 2 weeks after infection to him.