Hepatitis C
Transcript: Hepatitis C How Is Hepatitis C Caused? The hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C. Viruses are germs that can cause sickness. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood. The symptoms of the hepatitis C virus can be very similar to those of the hepatitis A and B viruses. However, infection with HCV can lead to chronic liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplant in the United States. The hepatitis C virus can be spread by: sharing drug needles getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized tools blood transfusions (especially ones that occurred before 1992; since then the U.S. blood supply has been routinely screened for the disease) transmission from mother to newborn sexual contact (although this is less common) Hepatitis C is also a common threat in kidney dialysis centers. Rarely, people living with an infected person can contract the disease by sharing items that might contain that person's blood, such as razors or toothbrushes. Facts About HCV Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection sometimes results in an acute symtomatic illness. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. HCV is transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person. About 130–170 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus, and more than 350 000 people die from hepatitis C-related liver diseases each year. HCV infection is curable using increasingly effective antivirals. Despite ongoing research, there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C virus infection. HCV stands for Hepatitis C virus, or just Hepatitis C. Of every 100 persons infected with HCV, approximately: 75-85 will go on to develop chronic infection 60-70 will go on to develop chronic liver disease 5-20 will go on to develop cirrhosis over a period of 20-30 years 1-5 will die from the consequences of chronic infection (liver cancer or cirrhosis) Hepatitis C CANNOT be passed on by hugging, sneezing, coughing, sharing food or water, sharing cutlery, or casual contact! Many people do not have symptoms when they become infected with hepatitis C. Symptoms may emerge later, taking anywhere between 15 and 150 days to develop. Occasionally a person will not develop any symptoms and their immune system will successfully clear the virus without their knowledge. An infected person without symptoms can still act as a carrier and pass the virus on to others. Symptoms may include: A short, mild, flu-like illness; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; weight loss; jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale feces); itchy skin. About 20% of individuals who become infected with HCV will clear the virus from their body within 6 months, though this does not mean they are immune from future infection with HCV. The other 80% of people will develop chronic hepatitis C infection, during which the virus may cause mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. These people will however carry the hepatitis C virus for the rest of their lives and will remain infectious to others. Questions Q:How can Hepatitis C be prevented? A:Hepatitis C can be prevented by finding out if you have the disease, then being acuratly aware of where your blood is going, whether it be on a tissue, or a diabetes's lancet. Q:After someone has Hepatitis C, what is the medical treatment? A:The medical treatment for Hepatitis C is anti-viral drugs (pegylated interferon and ribavirin). Q:What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C? A:Symptoms may include: A short, mild, flu-like illness; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; weight loss; jaundice (yellow skin and whites of eyes, darker yellow urine and pale feces); itchy skin. HCV cell photo frame Hepatitis A,B, and C awareness! Beware non- awareness! Video Sources http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#section1 http://www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddisease/pubs/hepc_ez/ http://www.kidshealth.org/parent/infections/bacterial_viral/hepatitis.html# http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs164/en/ http://www.health.ny.gov/disease/communicable/hepatitis/hepatitis_c/fact_sheet.htm http://www.avert.org/hepatitis.htm (cc) photo by Franco Folini on Flickr (cc) photo by Metro Centric on Flickr doodles BAZINGA! Notes BAZINGA!!!! (cc) photo by Metro Centric on Flickr Assets (cc) photo by jimmyharris on Flickr