Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. The liver swells more than normal in this case. Hepatitis can last for a long period or sometimes last for a shorter period. The hepatitis C virus can cause both chronic and acute hepatitis.
Acute hepatitis C It occurs within six months of exposure to the hepatitis C virus. In most cases of acute hepatitis C, the infection leads to chronic illness.
Chronic hepatitis C it is a chronic liver disease that can be fatal to human health. It can cause many health problems such as cirrhosis of the liver, liver damage, liver cancer, and even death.
Transmission
The hepatitis C virus or HVC is transmitted through the blood. That means that you can become infected with HVC only if the virus comes into direct contact with your blood. The few possible ways in which you can be exposed to the HVC virus are:
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Unexamined blood or blood products transfusion
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Using used injection needles or blades
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Inadequate medical care
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Sexual practices that lead to blood exposure.
Hepatitis C can also be passed from a mother to her newborn child at birth. This will happen if either of the baby’s parents is HCV positive. These transmission modes are less common.
It should be noted that HCV is transmitted only through contact with blood and not by casual contact, such as shaking hands, hugging or kissing. It is also not transmitted through breastfeeding or sharing food and drink.
Studies estimate that more than half of those affected by the hepatitis C virus develop a chronic infection. Many people are diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and even liver cancer among the chronically affected population.
Symptoms
Most people do not have any symptoms of hepatitis C in the early period. The incubation period for the virus can range from two weeks to six months. Those who have an acute infection may develop pale yellow skin symptoms such as jaundice, a tendency to vomit, an upset stomach, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, constant fatigue, dark urine, and light-colored stools.
As the disease becomes increasingly chronic over time, many people develop serious liver disease, which can range from mild to severe. Chronic liver diseases caused by HVC occur slowly and take decades to show signs or symptoms.
Diagnosis
Due to the asymptomatic nature of the hepatitis C virus, only a few people can tackle the disease in the early stages and begin its treatment. For those who develop a chronic disease, the infection can lead to severe liver damage.
Hepatitis C is a very deadly disease and protective measures should be taken to avoid it as much as possible. Unlike hepatitis A or hepatitis B, the hepatitis C vaccine is not yet commercially available. However, there are antiviral medications that can reduce hepatitis C infection and decrease the number of deaths from liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Due to the great need for resources and various other causes, the rate of people who access this diagnosis and treatment is much lower.
Distribution
The hepatitis C virus spreads throughout the world. The world health organization has discovered the significant prevalence of HCV in the eastern Mediterranean region and the European region. In historical times, when the immense practice of being aware of a transmitted disease did not exist, there was no trace of abstinence from various activities, which today would have caused quite a stir.