Live Life Team
Hepatitis C is viral infection transmitted through infected blood. The hepatitis C virus spreads through blood contact with another person infected with the virus, for example, sharing needles with infected drug users. The virus does not spread through physical contact like kissing, hugging, using the same toilet seat or sharing kitchen cutlery. In certain rare cases, it can be transmitted through other body fluids like when having unsafe sex.
One in five cases is able to resolve the infection with their own immune system and get rid of it within maximum 6 months time. Those whose immunity is not strong enough to fight the infection, might have a chance of escaping complications but some cases do end up with risks of liver damage which can be either mild or moderate , symptomatic or asymptomatic. One in five cases has a chance of developing into scarring of liver or cirrhosis, over as long as two to three decades later. Certain factors like excessive alcohol intake increase the chances of progressing into severe liver damage
No vaccines can help prevent hepatitis C, however, treatments do help in clearing the infection in 50% of the infected cases.
Symptoms
In majority cases, the symptoms do not show up right after one gets infected with the hepatitis C virus. Some indistinct flu-like signs like tiredness, nausea, pain in joints and appetite loss may show up few weeks after contracting the infection.
In 20% of infected cases, the body’s immune system fights the infection and clears it out within 2-6 months time.
For some cases, the virus may stay active (referred to as chronic hepatitis C) and may not show any signs of infection, even for a whole lifetime. However, the infected person is a carrier and can pass on the virus to other through blood contact, like sharing needles. Some infected individuals might not even have any illness and stay healthy without any liver problem or damage. Some other chronic hepatitis C infected people might progress into liver damages and have symptoms like fatigue, muscular pains, loss of weight, sickness and nausea, pain around the liver area, intolerance to alcohol and Jaundice (a condition which causes yellowing of skin and eye whites. The stools become pale and urine becomes darker).
About 20% of chronic hepatitis C patients might progress over long time (of 20 – 30 years) into cirrhosis or scarring of liver and few others may develop total liver failure or cancer of liver.
Causes
Hepatitis C is a blood-transmitted and blood-borne virus infection. Most common causes are sharing infected needles and filters for injecting drugs. Other causes have been outlined below:
Blood donations using contaminated medical equipment
Blood transfusions or other medical treatments including blood products when done with infected or non-sterilized medical devices and equipment
Other body fluids – there is a risk of transmitting the hepatitis C virus while having unprotected sex.
Mother to baby – the risk here is small but does exist
Sharing scissors, razors and toothbrushes – there is a possibility of risk of transmitting the infection through these daily use items which can sometimes come in blood contact of the infected person.
Tattoo and body piercing equipment can be contaminated and can spread the infection.
Needlestick injury – this refers to a risk of getting infection by accidental puncturing of skin with used needle. This typically puts nurses, laboratory, technicians and healthcare staff at a high risk as they are in frequent and close contact with needles used for blood or body fluids.
The virus does not get transmitted through social or physical contact, like kissing, hugging, sharing toilet seats or sharing utensils.
