Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. The liver swells more than the normal range in this case. Hepatitis can last for a long time or sometimes for a shorter time. The hepatitis C virus can cause chronic and acute hepatitis.
acute hepatitis C it occurs within six months of exposure to the hepatitis C virus. In most cases of acute hepatitis C, the infection leads to chronic disease.
chronic hepatitis C it is a chronic liver disease that can be fatal to human health. It can cause many health problems like liver cirrhosis, liver damage, liver cancer, and even death.
Transmission
The hepatitis C virus or HCV is transmitted through blood. That means you can get infected with HVC only if the virus comes into direct contact with your blood. The few possible ways through which you can be exposed to the HVC virus are:
- Transfusion of unselected blood or blood products
- Use of used injection needles or blades
- Inadequate medical care
- Sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood.
Hepatitis C can also be passed from a mother to her newborn child at the time of birth. This will happen if either parent of the baby is HCV positive. These modes of transmission are less common.
It should be noted that HCV is spread only through blood contact and not through casual contact such as shaking hands, hugging or kissing. It is also not spread through breastfeeding or sharing food and drink.
Studies estimate that more than half of those affected by the Hepatitis C virus develop a chronic infection. Many people are diagnosed with liver cirrhosis and even liver cancer among the chronically affected population.
Symptoms
Most people do not have any symptoms of hepatitis C in the early period. The incubation period for the virus can range from two weeks to six months. Those who have an acute infection may develop pale yellow skin symptoms such as jaundice, a tendency to vomit, upset stomach, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, constant fatigue, dark urine, and light-colored stools.
As the disease becomes more chronic over time, many people develop serious liver disease, which can range from mild to severe. Chronic liver diseases caused by HVC occur slowly, taking decades to show signs or symptoms.
Diagnosis
Due to the asymptomatic nature of the hepatitis C virus, only a few people manage to deal with the disease in its early stages and start treatment. For those who develop chronic disease, the infection can lead to serious liver damage.
Hepatitis C is a very deadly disease and protective measures should be taken to avoid it as much as possible. Unlike hepatitis A or hepatitis B, the hepatitis C vaccine is not yet available on the market. However, there are antiviral drugs that can reduce hepatitis C infection and decrease the number of deaths from liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Due to the great need for resources and various other causes, the rate of people who access this diagnosis and treatment is much lower.
Distribution
The hepatitis C virus spreads throughout the world. The world health organization has found a significant prevalence of HCV in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the European region. In historical times, when the immense practice of being aware of a transmitted disease did not exist, there was no glimpse of abstinence from various activities, which today would have caused a stir.