Hepatitis

Hepatitis C is a chronic liver infection that is considered the most serious of all the hepatitis viruses, as it can lead to cancer, liver failure or cirrhosis. This virus is spread mostly through blood and can be transmitted through shared needles or blood transfusions. It can also spread through any kind of sexual contact, and from a pregnant woman to her unborn child. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C and no treatment to cure the condition either, so it is important to take precautions to prevent infection with this condition.

Symptoms

Many people with hepatitis C do not even know they have the disease, as it often causes no symptoms. Some people may experience mild fatigue, nausea or joint pain. Despite the lack of symptoms, the hepatitis C virus can still cause damage to your liver and be passed to others. The condition is often not diagnosed until a routine screening examination is performed, sometimes decades after the initial infection.

Diagnosis

It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you think you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. Your doctor may perform a blood test and liver biopsy to diagnose a hepatitis infection. Regular testing for people at risk of acquiring hepatitis C is recommended to detect the infection in its earliest stages, before any damage to the liver has occurred. Liver damage often occurs before any symptoms are present.

Complications

While some people recover from this condition with no permanent damage, many people experience a gradual attack on the liver that will eventually lead to cirrhosis, liver failure or even cancer in some cases. These complications may develop after 20 to 30 years of infection with hepatitis C, which is why treatment for chronic infections is essential to preserving the health of the liver.

Treatment

Hepatitis C does not always require treatment, especially if you are not experiencing symptoms and have a low risk of developing a chronic condition. Most patients undergo combination drug therapy of peginterferon and ribavirin for several months in hopes of curing the infection or preventing liver damage. A liver transplant may be required for people with severe infections. Drug treatment is usually still needed after surgery as the infection is likely to recur.
Patients who do not require treatment will likely need to undergo regular blood testing to monitor the progression of the disease and begin treatment at the earliest signs of liver abnormalities.

Prevention

Although there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, you can protect yourself against infection by practicing safe sex and proper hygiene, avoiding sharing needles and wearing gloves to touch another person's blood. These steps are also important if you are already infected, along with avoiding alcohol and illegal drugs. Open communication with your partner and other loved ones can also help reduce your risk of spreading or contracting hepatitis C or any other STD.
Despite the serious complications associated with hepatitis C, it can be a manageable condition with proper treatment and life changes. At Family Care Torrance, we provide comprehensive care for hepatitis C and other STDs, and can help you develop a customized treatment plan to help you maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.