What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is spread mostly from contact with infected blood, such as a blood transfusion (before 1992), kidney dialysis, or through injecting drug use. It is rarely sexually transmitted, although sex with multiple partners or a history of sexually transmitted diseases can put people at risk for it. The virus can enter the body through minor cuts or scrapes by razors, toothbrushes or on needles used for tattooing, body piercing or on materials used to snort drugs. About a quarter of people who become infected are able to get rid of HCV from their bodies within six months. Unlike the other hepatitis viruses, recovering from HCV does not provide immunity from being infected again. Most people go on to develop chronic HCV, a silent and progressive disease that can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. More often than not, people with HCV don’t have symptoms, which is why testing is so important. There is treatment for HCV. It works best before severe liver damage has occurred.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. Once exposed, 85% of these individuals become chronically infected, with a 15% chance of developing cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver, over a 25 year time frame.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. Hepatitis makes your liver swell and stops it from working right. You need a healthy liver. The liver does many things to keep you alive. The liver fights infections and stops bleeding. It removes drugs and other poisons from your blood. The liver also stores energy for when you need it.
Hepatitis C is a virus that causes acute and chronic hepatitis. Over 80% of persons who acquire hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis. The virus is transmitted by sharing needles during injecting drug use, transfusion of blood products prior to 1989 (since then, all blood donors have been screened for hepatitis C), sharing straws when cocaine is being snorted, sharing toothbrushes or razors, and tattooing with unsterile needles. Sexual transmission is also possible. Persons who are chronically infected with hepatitis C are at an increased risk for the development of cirrhosis and liver cancer. No effective vaccine has been developed to prevent hepatitis C. Only one antiviral medication has been shown to be effective in the treatment of hepatitis C. Alpha-2-interferon and ribavirin combination is licensed for the treatment of hepatitis C, but only about 30% to 50% of persons treated recover completely from this infection. The cost of treatment ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 and the toxi
Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness that attacks the liver. It results from infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is spread primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis C can be either “acute” or “chronic.” Acute hepatitis C virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the hepatitis C virus. For most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when the hepatitis C virus remains in a person’s body. Hepatitis C virus infection can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.
