HEPATITIS C

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a RNA virus
• Mode of transmission: Blood and blood products, IV drug abuse, sexual contact (low risk), vertical transmission from infected mother to child, transmission via breast feeding has not been documented.
• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) caused 90% of post-transfusion hepatitis before serological tests that allowed the screening of blood donors. Intravenous drug abusers are at high risk of HCV infection.
• Incubation period averages 6-7 weeks.
• More than 85% of cases lead to chronic hepatitis. Cirrhosis develops in 20-30% within 5-30 years and about 15% develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Male patients and people acquiring infection over 40 years have more rapid development fibrosis.
• Hepatitis C may be a pathogenic factor in glomerulonephritis, autoimmune thyroiditis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and probably lymphoma.

Clinical features

In acute hepatitis C clinical illness is often mild, usually asymptomatic with about 10% of patients have mild, flue-like illness and a rise in serum aminotransferases. Most of the patients are diagnosed years later with complications of chronic liver disease.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of hepatitis C is frequently by exclusion with negative markers for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. HVC RNA (PCR) is positive 1-2 weeks after infection. Anti-HCV antibodies in serum take 6 weeks to develop.

Treatment

Alpha interferon for 6-24 weeks in acute hepatitis decreases risk of chronic hepatitis. 

http://doctor-tips-for-health.blogspot.com/2011/07/hepatitis-health-tips.html