Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. The hepatitis C infection can vary from mild illness lasting a few weeks to a life. The hepatitis C virus is a blood borne virus which gets most commonly transmitted to others through unsafe practices.
Several individuals with chronic hepatitis C infection later develop liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Although antiviral drugs help individuals with hepatitis C, there is still no vaccine available for the condition.
Symptoms
Many people infected with hepatitis C virus don’t reveal any signigicant symptoms or signs for many decades. But even if there are not any important symptoms, a individual who has hepatitis C virus can develop liver damage and move the virus to other people. Approximately one in four people who get infected with hepatitis C normally get rid of the virus naturally. But, others may carry the disease for a very long moment. After some years they may even develop acute liver damage, cirrhosis. In some cases, cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer or liver failure.
How am I at risk for hepatitis C?
Since hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, it is mainly spread through contact with the blood of a person who has hepatitis C. On the other hand you can not catch it through everyday contact such as touching or kissing through sharing cups, plates or kitchen utensils. Hepatitis C can be given by sharing equipment for injecting drugs.
blood transfusion done many years back could disperse hepatitis C nevertheless today all blood is screened for hepatitis C. In rare cases, hepatitis C may also be passed from a mother with hepatitis C into her infant, before or during the birth, through unprotected intercourse with someone who has the virus, either by using a tattoo or piercing or acupuncture using equipment that is not sterile. Even dental or medical procedures can spread hepatitis C when the equipments are not sterilized properly. Sharing razors or toothbrushes which have been contaminated with blood may also put you at risk for hepatitis C. Contact your health care provider if you think that might have been in contact with the virus.
Things to do?
Get yourself tested and treated. Over half of the individuals infected with hepatitis C are treated through drug classes. If you have the virus, then stop drinking alcohol to decrease the harm to your liver. Do not inject drugs and ensure the equipments have been sterilized before getting a piercing or tattoo. If you, or your sexual partner, have hepatitis C, then always utilize confoms during sex. Don’t share razors or teeth as they could have blood on them.
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