Hepatitis C

 

The majority infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) do not have any symptoms. They may appear later, taking about 15 to 150 days to develop. Occasionally an individual will not develop any symptoms and the immune system will successfully clear the virus. Viral clearance rates are highly variable. An infected person without symptoms can still act as a carrier and pass on the virus.

DO's

• Have a liver function test (LFT) to assess the working of the liver.
•  Have liver biopsy (examination of tissue or liquid to determine the existence or cause of a disease). A fine hollow needle is passed through the skin into the liver to collect the sample and assess the amount of liver damage (inflammation, scarring, and cirrhosis).
• People with positive anti-HCV antibody tests must undergo additional testing to know the presence of the hepatitis C virus.
• Go through regular blood tests and check-ups.
• Undergo treatment that combines the antiviral drugs interferon and ribavirin. These drugs may cause side effects like headaches, flu-like symptoms, nausea, tiredness, body aches, depression, and skin rashes.
• Interferon therapy may not be successful for many. Such individuals should be tested for HCV genotype (type of virus) and changes in treatment should be done accordingly.
• Get a vaccination for hepatitis A and B as infection with a second virus can worsen liver disease.

DON'Ts

• Don't forget to wash your hands after touching your blood. Cover all cuts and open wounds with a bandage. Dispose of used bandages and sanitary napkins/ pads carefully.
• Don't share syringes and needles. Always ask for a disposable syringe when at the doctor.
• Don't donate blood, body organs, and tissues.
• Don't share personal care items such as razors, toothbrushes, cuticle scissors, and manicuring or pedicuring. Also do not share chewing gum, lipstick, needles for ear, nose, or body piercing (including tattooing and acupuncture), or anything that might have come in contact with your blood. These objects can easily be contaminated with blood.
• Don't pre-chew food for babies.
• Don't use alcoholic drinks as they can put a strain on the liver. Avoid fatty foods and follow a low-salt diet.
• Don't discontinue antiviral medication (without consultation of your physician).

Remember

• The acute phase (less than six months) of infection has a greater success rate with half the treatment time required for chronic (more than six months) infection.
• Untreated patients have a higher risk of progression to cirrhosis (liver disease).
• Increasing age is associated with more rapid HCV progression.
• Males have more rapid disease progression than females.
• Alcohol consumption is associated with an increased rate of disease progression.
• HIV co-infection is associated with a markedly increased rate of disease progression.
• Fatty liver (the presence of fat in liver cells) has been associated with an increased rate of disease progression.
• HCV treatment is effective in clearing infections. But this does not rule out the possibility of having hepatitis C in the future.
• Mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis C is relatively infrequent. And breastfeeding is not associated with the transmission of HCV. To be cautious, the infected mother should avoid breastfeeding if her nipples are cracked and bleeding.
• Transmission of hepatitis C from an infected mother to a baby is very rare. But the risk may be greater if the mother is also infected with HIV.
• Individuals with less amount of virus respond much better to treatment.
• Living with hepatitis C for a number of years may proceed to complications like chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and cancer.
• Inform your doctor about the infection during pregnancy. Pregnancy should be planned six months after completion of therapy and drugs.
• Hepatitis C cannot be passed on by hugging, sneezing, coughing, sharing food or water, sharing cutlery, or casual contact. Sexual transmission is an uncommon way of becoming infected with hepatitis C. However, hepatitis C may spread because of genital sores, cuts, or menstruation. 

By (Dr. Hamid Shahzad)