Hepatitis C: Causes, Treatment

Introduction

Caused by hepatitis C infection (HCV) as the essential causal operator, hepatitis C is an exceptionally infectious viral illness. Essentially, this viral disease affects the liver, and it is mostly through intravenous drug use that blood-to-blood contact occurs, leading to the spread of HCV. The virus is a major public health concern globally, affecting millions of individuals and posing significant health challenges.

Causes and Transmission

The infectivity of this infection is generally asymptomatic, yet persistent contamination can lead to liver damage, and eventually, this culminates in liver cirrhosis. Clearly, the condition may persist for long periods, even for years, leading to liver cancer or other liver complications, whose final outcome can be death. Long-term infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known as chronic hepatitis C.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Chronic hepatitis C is usually a "silent" infection for many years until the virus damages the liver sufficiently to cause the signs and symptoms of liver disease. Among these signs and symptoms are:

• Bleeding easily.
• Bruising easily.
• Fatigue.
• Poor appetite.
• Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Itchy skin.
• Fluid accumulation in your abdomen (ascites).
• Swelling in your legs.
• Weight loss.

To diagnose hepatitis C, healthcare providers often conduct a series of tests, including blood tests to detect the presence of the virus and liver function tests to assess the extent of liver damage.

Treatment and Management

A person could get treatment for hepatitis C, depending on the following factors:

• The extent of liver damage.
• If the person has another health problem.
• The amount of the virus present in the body.
• The genotype of hepatitis C.

The medications are expensive, and they may not work for some people. They can also cause serious side effects. Joining a support group can help alleviate the stress of having hepatitis C. Ask about liver disease resources and support groups in your area.

Prognosis and Outlook

A majority of people (75% to 85%) infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C. This condition poses a risk for cirrhosis, liver cancer, or both. The outlook for hepatitis C depends partly on the genotype. A favorable response to treatment occurs when the virus can no longer be detected in the blood 12 weeks or more after treatment, known as a "sustained virologic response" (SVR). Up to 90% of those treated for several genotypes have this type of response. Some people do not respond to initial treatment and may need to be re-treated with a different drug regimen. Additionally, some individuals can become reinfected or infected with a different genotype strain.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis C: Albumin level, liver function tests, prothrombin time, and liver biopsy. You should discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider and determine when treatment should begin. The goal of treatment is to rid the body of the virus. This can prevent liver damage that may lead to liver failure or liver cancer. Your provider will monitor you by checking liver blood tests, viral load (the amount of HCV in your blood), imaging tests, and biopsy results.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Hepatitis C Questions and Answers for the Public. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm

World Health Organization. (2021). Hepatitis C. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c