HEPATITIS

by **jester** Mon Mar 17, 2008 6:30 am

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the fastest-growing infectious disease in Australia and America, and this upward trend is set to continue. Infection with the hepatitis C virus is common, and there are around 200 million people worldwide who have contracted this virus.

Researchers estimate that in Australia 0.5 to 1% of the general population tests positive to hepatitis C virus. In the USA the incidence is estimated to be around 1.8% of the population, while in many parts of Asia infection rates are much higher than this. HCV was only identified in 1988. Previously it was known as non-A, non-B hepatitis. HCV is 10 times more infectious than HIV (the AIDS virus), and it may survive for long periods on needles and other equipment contaminated with blood. In the 1980’s, AIDS was the major public health challenge for community based doctors. Now Hepatitis C has this dubious honor.

How can you catch the Hepatitis C virus?

Hepatitis C is transmitted mainly by blood. This occurs through the sharing of equipment to inject drugs, needle stick injuries in health care workers, and unsafe techniques of body piercing and tattooing. Cocaine snorting is recognized increasingly as a potential mode of transmission through the sharing of contaminated straws.

Only a tiny quantity of virus is necessary for the virus to become established in the case of hepatitis C, and transmission usually occurs when the skin becomes contaminated by injecting paraphernalia, such as spoons, mixing tools, tourniquets, cotton buds or by hands. Razor blades and toothbrushes can become contaminated with blood, so it is important not to share these things. Always wear gloves when wiping up blood spills, using paper towels and good quality bleach. While bleach is an effective surface antiseptic, there is no absolute evidence that it can kill the HCV. In about 10 to 15 percent of cases no definite risk factor is detected and the mode of transmission remains unclear.

The incidence of sexual transmission from a patient with chronic hepatitis C infection seems to be quite low, in comparison with hepatitis B and HIV (AIDS). However, those with an acute hepatitis C infection are possibly more likely to spread the virus sexually. It is important to practice safe sexual techniques to avoid blood to blood contact. The risk of sexual transmission is estimated to be around 4%

Transmission of the disease from mother to baby also occurs but much less frequently than with hepatitis B. This occurs in only around 6% of such cases. Infection of the baby through breast-feeding from an infected mother is very uncommon, however great care should be taken to avoid nipple trauma.

Nowadays the risk of catching hepatitis C from a blood transfusion is extremely low, because blood banks now screen all donated blood. As with hepatitis B it is possible to be a symptom-free carrier of the virus. Hepatitis B sufferers in the acute stage of infection and all hepatitis C patients should consider themselves infectious.

HCV is NOT spread by:
sneezing
hugging
coughing
food or water
sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses
casual contact
shaking hands

The following precautions must be taken by Hepatitis C patients:

Do not donate blood or organs
Do not share needles, toothbrushes, razors or other intimate articles
Blood spills should be wiped up with bleach and all cuts and wounds covered with adhesive dressings.
Blood stained tissues, sanitary napkins and so on must be disposed of safely.
"Safer sex" should be practised, with the use of condoms recommended, especially for anal intercourse. However, in the case of hepatitis C, the need for condom use in heterosexual intercourse with a stable partner is not entirely clear. The risk of oral sex is also not fully known, though oral-anal contact should be avoided. Intercourse during menstruation should also be avoided.

Initial effects of infection with Hepatitis C virus

People are generally completely unaware that they have contracted this virus because it does not produce any symptoms in the early or acute stages of the infection. During the first 3 to 6 months after infection, the virus replicates itself rapidly and the immune system tries to fight it by producing antibodies against it. Unfortunately in 80 to 85 percent of infected people, the virus is not eliminated and becomes a long-term inhabitant of the body. In other words, the infection becomes chronic. In a significant percentage of people with chronic infection, there are no signs or symptoms of disease and many are unaware that they are carrying an infection that can be transmitted to others through contact with their blood.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of acute hepatitis infection are similar for all three viruses, although generally less severe with hepatitis C. Initially the patient feels unwell with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headaches, tiredness and a distaste for cigarettes. Fever and upper abdominal discomfort may occur. After one to two weeks the patient frequently becomes jaundiced (the skin and eyes turn yellow), and the symptoms then often improve. The urine may become dark and the bowel motions pale. Most Hepatitis C sufferers, however, do not develop this jaundice.

Long term effects of the Hepatitis C virus.

The long term liver damage caused by the Hepatitis C virus varies from person to person, and those with a strong immune system and a healthy diet and lifestyle will have a much better outcome.

In those who become infected with this virus we find the following approximate outcomes:

15 to 20 percent of people will completely eliminate the virus from their bodies within 3 to 6 months (much like we overcome the flu virus).
60 percent of people will develop a long-term (chronic) infection that may not cause any problems or may go on to varying degrees of liver damage.
20 to 25 percent of people will suffer serious liver damage, although this takes around 20 years to develop. In this group, 10 to 15 percent will remain stable and be able to survive with their disease, while 10 percent will go on to develop liver failure and/or liver cancer. The absolute risk of liver cancer from hepatitis C is not yet clear, but it only occurs if there is already established cirrhosis and generally takes about thirty years after the initial infection.
Chronic infection may also cause severe loss of liver cells and extensive scarring of the liver which is called cirrhosis. The death rate from chronic hepatitis C infection is around 5 to 10% and is due to end stage liver failure or the development of liver cancer.

by **angel_jen_force** Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:57 pm

thanks cz jester for this information,hepa c is mild the dangerous is hepa b and c,but must be aware us for this kind of virus.

by **gladden_force** Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:47 pm

Hew .! What a long information.napagod ako kakabasa ah.thanks mi jester.

by **gladden_force** Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:48 pm

Hew .! What a long information.napagod ako kakabasa ah.thanks mi jester.

by **jh0s3ph** Thu Mar 27, 2008 2:54 am

[size] whew te mi jester kew, this things or sympt0ms sh0uld be given an attenti0n if n0ticed or detected by the c0ncern f0r early evaluati0n and medicati0n. euer since i never let anyb0dy use n0r share my pers0nal belongings like,t0wel,shirts,sp0on/f0rk , my cup/glass etc . . . thank y0u te' mi claire f0r this inf0rmati0n and reminders . . . GOD bless
[/size] have a nice day