.: A Summary Of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection
By:Greg Lietz
Category:Home / Health / Diseases and Conditions
Hepatitis C is a stealthy virus that mutates while hiding in liver cells and other organ cells like the spleen and gall bladder. The fact that the viral cells "hide" makes it very difficult for the body's immune system to eradicate it. Hepatitis C is a slowly progressing disease sometimes taking many years until symptoms are noticeable. It is at this point that the virus has reached advanced chronic stage and becomes difficult to eradicate. Hepatitis C results in 8,000 to 10,000 deaths annually. Hepatitis C is also the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.
Hepatitis C infection is caused by blood contact with someone who has the virus infection himself. The transmission of the virus can occur by illicit drug use with needles, sharing toothbrushes or razors with an infected person, by sexual means, by unsanitary tattooing or by exposure to blood at your workplace (like a hospital or blood bank). Some HCV infection may have been caused by receiving blood from a transfusion prior to 1992.
Hepatitis C is diagnosed via a blood test. Usually, the first thing that is noticed is that the liver enzyme levels for ALT and AST are elevated well above normal levels. Further investigation via HCV-RNA testing identifies whether the Hepatitis C virus is in your blood or not. Other tests for HCV include qualitative viral load tests, which measure the RNA particles in your blood. If you are being treated for HCV, your doctor is probably using either a HCV-RNA or viral load test to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.
The symptoms of Hepatitis C infection often do not occur in a person until 20 years after he/she had been infected. Since the HCV infects the liver and the liver is the organ in the body that makes all the energy for our daily activities possible, liver function deterioration often results in fatigue. Fatigue is the primary complaint or symptom of HCV infection. Other more severe symptoms are jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes), bile retention (which can cause jaundice), portal vein hypertension, skin rashes and itching, and autoimmune problems resulting from your body's immune system attacking normal cells.
Long term HCV infection may result in fibrosis or even cirrhosis of the liver. Fibrosis results from unchecked liver inflammation. As the HCV infection progresses, the damage to the liver results in scarring or hardening of the liver cells (fibrosis). Long term fibrosis may lead to cirrhosis which is when the scarring from fibrosis overtakes the normal liver cell structure causing deformity and loss of function in the liver. About 15%-20% of HCV patients end up with cirrhosis. A liver biopsy is currently the most accurate means of determining the amount of inflammation and fibrosis the liver has sustained.
Hepatitis C progression in the body can take several years or even decades to come to chronic stage or to a stage where severe liver damage is evident. This period of time allows a person to determine how to properly treat the disease and to decide on a course of disease management. Currently, the main treatment for HCV infection to eradicate the virus is combo alpha-interferon and Ribavirin. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe interferon alone. Interferon comes in standard form or in pegylated form. Standard form interferon is administered 3 times per week, while the pegylated form is administered only once per week. Your body makes its own interferon, which is a protein that fights viral infection and viral replication.
Hepatitis C may often be managed by taking herbal and vitamin supplements that help your body fight infection and limit inflammation. These supplements help your liver with the inflammation and give it the nutrients it needs to regenerate healthy new cells. Your doctor can recommend alternative or adjunct solutions you may want to try.
Proper treatment of the disease, a healthy and active lifestyle, a good diet, abstinence from alcohol and stress management are important factors in controlling Hepatitis C progression.
Article keywords: hepatitis c, hcv, hep c, chronic hepatitis c
Article Source: http://www.articles32.com
Greg Lietz is a freelance writer and internet businessman. He has interests in special health concerns and in the self-help industry. Visit his blog about hepatitis c and other liver related conditions to learn more.
.: New Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). Migraine Symptoms, Cause And Cures
Almost everyone has had a headache at one point in his or her life. Headaches are of different types, one of them is migraine.
2). Which Prostate Treatments Are Most Effective?
Prostate treatments, traditional or alternative, may complement each other in fighting prostate disorders. It is up to the patient to identify the combination that works best.
3). Obese People, How To Tackle This Number One Problem?
Obese people have become part of an epidemic in the United States. Are you one of the 300,000 Americans who die each year of diseases related to obesity? Did you know that approximately $177 billion is spent on illnesses related to this epidemic?
4). Anxiety And Depression Sufferer Ends It All - Are You Taking Your Anxiety Seriously?
Anxiety and depression are familiar conditions to us, but are also among the most serious illnesses in the world. Thankfully both these conditions can be treated and sufferers can live anxiety free for life.
5). Amazing Anxiety Disorder Phobia Relief Reveals The Truth - Live Free From Anxiety
Anxiety disorder is capable of destroying your life if not treated immediately. Luckily it is possible to live free from anxiety for the remainder of your life.
6). Warning: Watch Out For These Anxiety Panic Attack Symptoms
Anxiety panic attack symptoms can help you determine if you have anxiety to be able to make preventive measures. Every time we feel worried about certain things or fear about the possibilities of what might happen if, a lot of ifs- these are what we call anxiety.
7). What Commonly Prescribed Anti-Anxiety Medications Is Right For You?
Anxiety medications are prescribed to anxiety sufferers to relieve anxiety and depression. There are several commonly prescribed anti-anxiety medications that help sufferers control their anxiety.
.: Top Diseases and Conditions Articles
1). Acid Reflux: What You Really Need To Know.
The formation of gases and acidic substances in the stomach and its backing up into the esophagus causes severe pain or burning sensation in the stomach and chest area that is clinically known as Acid Reflux or Gastroespohageal Reflux Disease.
2). Sciatica: How Can You Get Rid of Your Pain in the Butt?
Living with pain in the buttock and leg is not an option. These 10 tips to getting rid of leg pain forever are invaluable to anyone who is or knows someone suffering from the debilitating condition known as sciatica.
3). Gall Bladder - A Place For Gallstones
It is a pouch-shaped organ which is an important part of our body and lies next to the liver. It accepts the bile from the liver which is being stored to help digestion.
4). HPV Virus
Human Papilloma Ciruses (HPV) is a virus that infects humans. Some of the effects of the virus are associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STD's).
Over one hundred strains of the virus have been identified by Scientists. Most of these strains are harmless. Some of these strains can produce common skin warts which appear on the hands and feet.
5). Bad Circulation Is A Growing Health Problem
Although the internet is the number 1 place for information today most people still get their information from viewing television. Unlike the internet, by watching TV you do not really have choice on what type of info you get. What the TV stations feed you is what you get.
6). Teach Your Kids How To Avoid Catching Cold Sores
Teaching your kids about cold sores will help them practice prevention.
7). tiniitus online support
Tinnitus: A persistant high pitched screaming only you can hear. You can hear it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Sometimes the noise is enough to make you feel you are loosing your sanity. In fact, on a lighter note one could call it "a big fat pain in the ear !"
It may be of little comfort to Tinnitus victims, but experts estimate that approximately 17 % of the world´s population are currantly suffering from Tinnitus.