Hepatitis C infection , what do you know about it ?

Hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis C is called "gentle killer" not pompous rhetorical device. Symptoms of the disease itself does not issue for years and even decades. Only a small percentage of infected long observed jaundice or pain under the right rib. But mostly nonspecific symptoms - weakness, insomnia, weight loss and so on. However, over time the liver is destroyed: the main "filter" of the body arise distinctive scars and scarring of liver tissue degenerates, and the body can not properly perform their function.But this is not the worst thing: the years in 20% percent of patients with hepatitis C infection develop cirrhosis - provided of course if they do not receive adequate antiviral therapy. Over time, another 20% of them will hear the diagnosis that sounds like a death sentence, "hepatocellular carcinoma" - liver cancer. In fact, this is the verdict, because this form of cancer is almost not treated.Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus liver inflammation. Liver is the largest organ in the human body. Liver is impossible to live without. If there is a disease or liver damage, it ceases to function properly, and as a result, you begin to observe changes in their health.
 Caused by the hepatitis C infection liver disease develops slowly, over the years, so it is very important to find and treat the virus. For the immune system of the human body to get rid of the hepatitis C virus, unlike viruses A and B, the more difficult task. Therefore, more than 80% of patients with acute hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis.
 Subsequently can develop fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver failure, it is also possible the development of liver cancer. course of chronic hepatitis C is highly variable. There are people who have liver disease develops very quickly, others - more than 20 years before there are any symptoms. . Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is shallow, contains the genetic material in the form of RNA, enveloped. Before the discovery of HCV infection in 1989 called "hepatitis-A, B". The main feature of the hepatitis C infection is its genetic variability, demonstrated ability to mutate. Known 6 major genotypes of hepatitis C virus, however, due to a mutation of the virus activity in the human body may be present about four dozen subspecies of HCV, however, within the same genotype. This is one of the most important factors determining the persistence of the virus and a high incidence of chronic forms of hepatitis C.The human immune system is simply unable to control the production of desired antibodies - yet developed antibodies to some viruses - have already formed their descendants with different antigenic properties. Hepatitis C virus is called silent, and even tender murderer - people who already have it, for a long time may not even be aware of it. At the initial stage, almost 80 percent of patients with any symptoms are absent. Those who have been diagnosed "Hepatitis C".

Description

Hepatitis C virus is different genetic variability and the ability to mutate. There are six major genotypes of hepatitis C virus, and more than 40 subtypes. This explains the high incidence of chronic hepatitis C. May be acute or chronic form of hepatitis C.

Acute hepatitis C

At the end of the incubation period, during which the virus multiplies in the body and adapts (2-26 weeks), the disease begins to manifest itself. First, before the appearance of jaundice, hepatitis resembles the flu. The disease begins with:

•     temperature increase
•     headache
•     general malaise,
•     aches in the body,
•     pain in the joints,
•     sometimes - a skin rash. Symptoms usually occur gradually, the temperature rise is smooth. A few days later the picture begins to change:
•         loss of appetite,
•         pain in the right upper quadrant,
•         nausea, vomiting,
•         dark urine,
•         discolored feces.

    Doctors fix enlarged liver and least - spleen. In the blood of hepatitis detected characteristic changes: increased levels of bilirubin, liver function tests increased significantly, appear specific markers of viral hepatitis. Typically, after the appearance of jaundice patient's condition improves. Over time, 20% of patients develop symptoms occurs and reverse recovery. Another 20% of infected occurs carrier virus hepatitis C. In such cases, absent any symptoms and biochemical changes in the blood analysis, but analysis shows the presence of virus in blood (persistence). Virus carriers, usually detected by chance in the survey. The frequency of adverse outcomes in this variant of hepatitis C has not been fully established. Even in the absence of laboratory evidence of liver disease hepatitis C can progress.

Chronic hepatitis C

Approximately 70% of people who recover from acute hepatitis B develop chronic hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis C is for the greatest danger. The most characteristic features of chronic hepatitis are malaise, fatigue, inability to perform the previous exercise. These symptoms are not consistent, because of which many are not relevant to the disease seriously. Furthermore, there may arise: 

•      nausea,
•      abdominal pain,
•      joint and muscle pain,
•      disorder chair.
•      Jaundice,
•      dark urine,
•      itching, bleeding,
•      weight loss,
•      enlarged liver and spleen,
•      spider veins are found only at an advanced stage of chronic viral hepatitis.

How common is hepatitis C infection?

How common is hepatitis c infection

Hepatitis C infection is a contagious liver disease that develops as a result of hepatitis C infection. It can range in severity from mild illness, lasting a few weeks to a serious lifelong illness. Hepatitis C virus is usually spread by ingestion of susceptible human blood of an infected person. He is among the most common viruses that infect the liver. The prevalence of hepatitis C in the developed countries reaches 2%. The number of people infected with hepatitis C virus could reach worldwide - 500 million Official registration and accounting of sick and infected with hepatitis C started much later than in other viral hepatitis. Previous infection called viral hepatitis "neither A nor B" Every year, the incidence of hepatitis C in different countries is growing. It is believed that this increase is associated with an increase in drug abuse: 38-40% of young people who get hepatitis C infection through intravenous drug use. Chronic hepatitis C is the leader among the reasons for requiring a liver transplant.

Mechanism of hepatitis C infection

The main mechanism of hepatitis C infection - hematogenous, parenteral (through blood). Most often infected with hepatitis C virus when injected enough infected blood of needle injections.Possible contamination with body piercing and tattooing instruments contaminated with blood of the patient or carrier of infection, perhaps - when sharing razors, nail accessories, and even toothbrushes (ranked them infected blood can cause infection), when they bite.Hepatitis C infection through blood products administered during operations and injuries, administering medications and mass vaccination in dental offices are less likely in developed countries.To hepatitis C infection was carried out, it is necessary that the material containing the virus (the blood of an infected person) got into the bloodstream of another person. Viruses entered the bloodstream to the liver where penetrate the cells of the liver and begin to multiply there. Liver cell damage can occur due to the activity of viruses themselves, and in the immunological reaction - the body response, sending the immune cells to kill cells infected liver cells containing foreign genetic material. May be acute or chronic form of hepatitis C. The acute form is often asymptomatic and diagnosed only by chance when found in the blood markers of acute hepatitis C - anti-HCV-IgM, which is stored in the blood is not more than 6 months after hepatitis C infection. After acute viral hepatitis C three possible scenarios:

1.     Recovery is Example 20% of patients.
2.     Inactive chronic viral hepatitis C, with the absence of laboratory markers of inflammation in the liver - about 20%.
3.     Chronic hepatitis with clinical and laboratory manifestations of liver disease.

The transition to the chronic form is transparent. Liver damage increases with age and is formed fibrosis followed by hepatic dysfunction. The disease progresses slowly over the years. In patients with active hepatitis risk of developing cirrhosis within 20 years is very high and reaches 20%, of which 5% develop liver cancer.

Who is the most susceptible to hepatitis C infection?

the most susceptible to hepatitis C infection

Hepatitis C virus is transmitted by direct contact with human blood. For example, you can become infected in cases when: 

•      Have you ever used drugs, and at the same time, shared syringes or needles.
•      You received a blood transfusion, blood components, or conducted organ transplant from donors with hepatitis C virus.
•      Have you ever been on hemodialysis and may have contact with blood located on the equipment.
•      Have you ever worked in hospitals and had frequent contact with blood on his work, especially the occasional injections needles.
•      Does your mother was diagnosed with hepatitis C.
•      You had sexual contact with an infected with hepatitis C virus
•      You lived with a person infected with hepatitis C and used his personal hygiene items such as razors, toothbrushes, which could be blood corpuscles.
•      You had any surgery, including dental.

Who carries heavier hepatitis C?

Alcohol abusers. They develop cirrhosis within 5-8 years.
Also seriously ill elderly people and children. Moreover, they are often full antiviral treatment is contraindicated.
Persons older, apparently, are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis C and its adverse outcomes (cirrhosis) compared with the young.