Hepatitis C – 2

Diagnosis
The virus Hepatitis C can be detected through a blood examination to see the presence of antibodies produced by the blood to fight the infection. The result will be positive if you are infected with the virus. However, it takes a while for the body to produce antibodies, so the test might not show positive results for few months after the infection has been contracted. Also the test might come positive even after the infection has cleared, as blood can continue to carry the remaining antibodies for a while after that.
A positive blood test may be followed by a liver function test to assess the damage caused to the liver. This test detects the presence of some proteins and enzymes in the bloodstream which point towards damage or inflammation of liver.
To check the extent of liver damage, a liver tissue sample is taken by inserting a fine needle into the liver (referred to as liver biopsy) and is examined under the microscope for inflammation of liver or cirrhosis (scarring of liver).
Treatment
There are no vaccinations that can prevent or protect against the virus hepatitis C. However, effective treatments do exist which can resolve the infection in 50% of the infected cases. The treatment includes two medications taken in combination – ribavirin and interferon – taken for 6 months to a year. This clears the virus in some cases and in others decelerates the liver damage and inflammation.
The medication has its side effects which are quite bad and intolerable in the initial period of treatment. The side effects generally seen are flu-like symptoms including body pain, headaches, fatigue and other signs like depression, nausea like sickness and rashes on skin.
The medicines are not appropriate if the person is suffering form other medical complications, has excessive intake of alcohol, continues to use needles for drug use and for expecting mothers.
Getting rid of the infection one time does not give life-time immunity to the hepatitis C virus.
Complications
Cirrhosis or scarring of liver can occur in 20% of people with chronic hepatitis C infection, over 20-30 years period. The liver in this state is unable to perform its normal functions as it is damaged excessively. The only way to treat liver failure is a liver transplant through surgery. Excessive intake of alcohol largely promotes the risk of progression to scarring of liver or cirrhosis.
Chronic form of hepatitis C can also increase chances of getting liver cancer.
Prevention
The following measures can help prevent the risk of getting hepatitis C infection
Do not share injecting needles, syringes, filters and spoons is the advice to drug users
Do not share toothbrushes, razors and towels which can come in contact with contaminated blood
Do not share tattoo and body piercing equipments
Practice protected and safe sex.
Blood test should be done before blood donations, blood transfusions, other transplants, babies of mothers who have the infection, people exposed to needlestick injury.