Hepatitis C Transmission, Symptoms & Treatment
Hepatitis C is produced by a virus that wreaks havoc on a person's liver. This silent but deadly virus will slowly cause severe liver inflammation, which will lead to chronic liver damage. Most individuals do not show symptoms until much later when extensive damage has already taken place. Some people may experience fatigue; however, nothing noticeable enough to question.
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Hepatitis C is highly contagious and can only spread through any blood to blood contact with someone who already has the virus. It is highly improbable for someone to catch the virus while socializing with someone who is infected.
Hepatitis C Transmissions include:
- Using dirty needles from someone who has hepatitis C
- Blood Transfusions
- Unsanitary conditions when getting a tattoo
- Organ transplant especially before 1992
- Healthcare professionals who have accidentally contracted Hep C during emergencies
- Sharing toothbrush or razors
- Childbirth: when the mother giving birth has hep C
- Sexual contact if blood is reciprocated
Hepatitis C symptoms may vary from person to person and has a variety of stages.
Incubation period: Between days 14 to 80 of infection is when symptoms begin to manifest.
Acute Hep C: Short-term illness lasting six months. After six months, patients have seen it clear up on its own.
Chronic Hepatitis C: If the patient cannot clear themselves of the virus after six months, prolonged inflammation sets in, and the illness may lead to more serious lifelong health issues, including liver cancer.
Liver Cancer: A disease referred to as Cirrhosis, which takes 20 to 30 years of having hepatitis C to manifest into full liver cancer, is a disease that creates chronic inflammation and debilitating damage to a person's liver. Due to cirrhosis and the damage caused, liver cancer may be inevitable.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C:
While most people do not show any signs or symptoms, some, however, do. If you do have any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider right away.
- Fatigue
- Dark urine
- Fever
- Jaundice
- Stomach pain and nausea
- Joint pain or discomfort
- Pain and swelling of one's body
Treatments:
Antiviral medications: This is a 12-week treatment that is intended to pardon the body from the virus. This fast-paced medication is dependent upon the severity of the individual's illness and medical history.
Liver Transplant: If all other treatments have failed, and scar tissue and inflammation are taking over, a liver transplant may be of value. However, transplanting a healthy liver doesn't cure the illness. It merely gives the patient a new liver, and will routinely be monitored for any hepatitis C presence. The antiviral treatments will then be administered upon the physician's treatment plan.
If you have ever been in contact with someone who has Hepatitis C, please contact your doctor immediately. Always be aware of any of the warning signs or symptoms you may be feeling.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
