Hepatitis C Virus, Prevention, Transmission, Treatment
Hepatitis C Virus Transmission : Hepatitis C Virus spread through contact with semen or blood; transmitted most often through unprotected sexual intercourse or shared needles. It is 100 times more infectious than AIDS.
Hepatitis C Virus At Highest Risk: People who have more than one sex partner within a six-month period; IV-drug users; medical workers who are involved in handling blood regularly; and travelers who spend prolonged periods in areas with very high rates of HBV infection. Can be transmitted from mother to child at birth (“vertical transmission”).
Hepatitis C Virus Symptoms: The symptoms of hepatitis c virus are the same regardless of type: the earliest symptoms are nausea and vomiting. The nausea may me so severs, that an alcoholic may not like to have an alcoholic drink, and a confirmed smoker may refuse to smoke. Other symptoms include a mild fever, that doesn’t go away muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and diarrhea, pain in the joints and upper abdomen. In acute hepatitis (the more serious stage of illness), the disease produces dark urine, pale faces, abdominal pain, yellowness in the whites of the eyes and then in the skin – the complex of symptoms known as “jaundice”.
One of the dreaded complications of viral hepatitis is hepatic coma, characterized by mental changes, disordered consciousness, and tremors, a peculiar mouth odor, raised levels of ammonia in the blood, and an abnormal electroencephalogram (ECG).
Hepatitis C Virus Severity: Up to one half of those infected develop chronic liver disease, although it may not cause serious damage for 20 to 30 years after infection.
Hepatitis C Virus Treatment: Scientist have few effective treatments for chronic hepatitis. Corticosteroids are avoided by most physicians because there is a danger of vomiting blood. The most essential part of treatment is supplying high-carbohydrate foods such as bread, jam, wheat, biscuits, rice, vegetables and potatoes. Fat may me stopped if the stools are pale white in color, which suggests obstructive jaundice. Otherwise it will help recovery if moderate (40-50G) fat is allowed. Alcohol has a toxic effect on the liver, while powerful chemicals in contraceptive pills could damage the liver further in chronic hepatitis.
Treatment for the Hepatitis C condition can wait, as it is a long term condition. 30% of people with Hepatitis C don’t know how they contracted it. Everyone who wants testing and information should have the opportunity to get it and the treatment should begin at the earliest.
Hepatitis – Prevention : Prevent hepatitis c virus uise condoms during sexual intercourse. Avoid sharing needles, razors or toothbrushes.
