Hepatitis C is a liver disease that causes the organ to be inflamed. This inflammation is red swelling caused by injury or infection. This inflammation can cause organs to stop working properly. The liver is a very important organ.
It has a lot of functions such as fighting infections, removing harmful chemicals from the blood, and it helps the body digest food. The human body cannot live without a liver. This is an essential organ. The cause of hepatitis C is the hepatitis C virus. The virus is similar to the flu virus but can affect the body more severely. There are many symptoms of hepatitis C such as jaundice, loss of appetite and fever but it is best to see a doctor if you think you may have hepatitis C. This virus can be diagnosed with a blood test. The test can also determine if you have chronic or any other type of hepatitis. There is no treatment for this medical issue unless you have the chronic form. If you are diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, prescription medication will be given to treat this. Since this virus causes the liver to be inflamed medication has to be treated if the virus is chronic.
Hepatitis C Symptoms
There are many symptoms of hepatitis C. Most people do not develop any symptoms until the virus causes liver damage. Here is a list of symptoms that occur once the virus damages the liver:
Jaundice, Fever, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Bruising easily, Upset stomach, Fatigue, Swelling of the ankles, or stomach, Dark yellow urine, Bleeding longer than usual.
As previously stated there is a chronic form of hepatitis C. The virus becomes chronic when the body cannot get rid of the hepatitis C virus. Some people can clear the virus from their body in a matter of months but most cases become chronic. Chronic hepatitis C has to be treated immediately. Without being treated it can cause liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
The symptoms of cirrhosis are:
Weight loss, Weakness, Nausea, Jaundice, Spider-like blood vessels on the skin.
If you have the hepatitis C virus and these symptoms develop visit a doctor immediately. Chronic hepatitis C has to be treated in order to avoid any serious damage to the liver. If it isn’t treated the condition may lead to damaging the liver so severely that a liver transplant will be needed.
Hepatitis C Causes
Hepatitis C is spread through the contact of an infected person blood. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. The most common way to receive hepatitis C is from sharing needles and any other equipment you may use to take illegal drugs. In 1992 the United States started screening donated blood for hepatitis C, but if you received a transfusion before 1992 there is a possibility you may have received the hepatitis C virus through your blood transfusion or organ donation. You can receive hepatitis C from getting tattoos and piercings if the equipment is not properly cleaned.
Although it is rare, there is the possibility of a mother passing hepatitis C to their child at birth. It is unknown if you can receive hepatitis C from having sexual contact. Common myths about how you can get hepatitis C consist of; hugging, kissing, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or drink. You have to be in contact with the infected person’s blood to receive the hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis C/HCV Treatment
Antiviral medicine is not always right for every person. The antiviral medicine is not needed if there is minimal liver damage. You and your doctor should discuss if an antiviral medicine is needed to treat the hepatitis C. If medicine is decided, for the best treatment to fight the infection you should take a combination of two medicines that will fight infection. Depending on how much damage is done to your liver, how much of the virus you have in your liver, and what type of hepatitis C you have will determine how well the medicine will works.
If you have hepatitis C you should exercise and eat healthier. Taking care of your body will also help in your treatment. Your doctor may recommend having blood work done to determine if you have the hepatitis C virus as well as to measure how much of the virus is in your blood. Your doctor may also recommend having a sample of your liver tissue taken to help know the severity of liver damage you may have.
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