What is this?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that impacts the liver, leading to both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) illnesses. It can be life-threatening. Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with infected blood, which can occur by sharing needles or syringes or through unsafe medical procedures, such as blood transfusions with unscreened blood products.
Sexual transmission of HCV is very rare but most likely to occur during anal intercourse among men who have sex with men, especially for the receptive partner.
Acute HCV infections are typically
asymptomatic and most do not result in life-threatening disease. Approximately
30% (15–45%) of infected individuals spontaneously clear the virus within six
months of infection without treatment.
However, the remaining 70% (55–85%) will
develop chronic HCV infection. Among those with chronic HCV infection, the risk
of developing cirrhosis ranges from 15% to 30% within 20 years.
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Fever
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Fatigue
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Loss of appetite
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Abdominal pain
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Dark urine
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Yellowing of the skin or
eyes (jaundice)
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C but it can be treated with antiviral medications. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious liver damage and improve long-term health.
How is it transmitted?
Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with infected blood, which can occur by sharing needles or syringes or through unsafe medical procedures, such as blood transfusions with unscreened blood products.
Sexual transmission of HCV is very rare
but most likely to occur during anal intercourse among men who have sex with
men, especially for the receptive partner.
Effective treatments are available for
hepatitis C, aiming to cure the disease and prevent long-term liver damage.
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Antiviral Medications:
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Self-Resolution: Some individuals' immune
systems can clear the infection on their own, so new infections do not always
require treatment. However, chronic hepatitis C always requires treatment.
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Avoid Alcohol: Refraining from alcohol
consumption can benefit liver health.
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Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy
weight is also beneficial.
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Cure and Health: With proper treatment,
many people can be cured of hepatitis C and live healthy lives.
How to avoid it?
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There is no vaccine to
prevent hepatitis C. The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding
behaviors that can spread the virus, particularly injecting drugs with
non-sterile equipment. Hepatitis C spreads through contact with the blood of an
infected person, with injecting drugs being the most common transmission method.
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Community-based prevention programs, such as
medication-assisted treatment and syringe services programs, can help reduce
HCV transmission among people who inject drugs.
● Although the risk of sexual transmission of HCV is considered low, using condoms to avoid unprotected sexual exposure has been shown to reduce the likelihood of sexually transmitted infections.