- What is hepatitis C, and how is it different from other types of hepatitis?
- How does hepatitis C spread?
- What are the complications of hepatitis?
- How is it treated?
- How does hepatitis affect patients’ lives?
- Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV RNA). Hepatitis C is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. Hepatitis B is a DNA virus transmitted in a similar fashion as hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is more difficult to treat. Hepatitis A is the least serious virus. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease and self-resolves. There is a vaccination for both hepatitis A and B.
- The most common cause of transmission is sharing needles used to inject illegal drugs. Less common causes are razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, tattoos, body piercing, blood transfusion prior to 1992, unprotected anal sex, multiple sexual partners and health care professions with accidental exposure.
- The most important consequences of chronic hepatitis C is progressive liver damage, which leads to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer.
- Antiviral medicines may help fight off the virus and limit liver damage.
- The diagnosis of hepatitis C can have a strong psychological impact on the patients’ lives leading to depression, anger or social withdrawal. It can also have a physical impact of fatigue and arthritic symptoms.
- How does hepatitis C spread?
- What are the complications of hepatitis?
- How is it treated?
- How does hepatitis affect patients’ lives?
- Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV RNA). Hepatitis C is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family. Hepatitis B is a DNA virus transmitted in a similar fashion as hepatitis C. Hepatitis B is more difficult to treat. Hepatitis A is the least serious virus. Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver disease and self-resolves. There is a vaccination for both hepatitis A and B.
- The most common cause of transmission is sharing needles used to inject illegal drugs. Less common causes are razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, tattoos, body piercing, blood transfusion prior to 1992, unprotected anal sex, multiple sexual partners and health care professions with accidental exposure.
- The most important consequences of chronic hepatitis C is progressive liver damage, which leads to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and liver cancer.
- Antiviral medicines may help fight off the virus and limit liver damage.
- The diagnosis of hepatitis C can have a strong psychological impact on the patients’ lives leading to depression, anger or social withdrawal. It can also have a physical impact of fatigue and arthritic symptoms.
No comments:
Post a Comment