Have you ever heard of Hepatitis C? Maybe yes, maybe no. It's a virus that sneaks into your body and damages your liver. Many people don't even know they have it because it doesn't show any symptoms at first. But don't worry, there are good treatments for it now!
What is Hepatitis C?
Simply put, Hepatitis C is a disease caused by a virus that attacks our liver. When this virus, called Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), enters our liver, it causes inflammation. Just like when we get a wound, it swells. This inflammation gradually damages the liver. In most cases, if left untreated, it will not get better on its own. Over time, the liver can become seriously damaged. But there is good news! Now there are new drugs that can completely cure Hepatitis C. The problem is that many people do not show symptoms and do not know that they have it.
What are the symptoms?
Here's the important thing. Most people don't show any symptoms! That's the scariest part of this disease. However, some people may show some symptoms when the virus enters the body and the body starts to fight it, that is, during the 'acute' phase.
Acute symptoms
These symptoms can also be similar to those of a common cold. Take a look:
- It feels like a stomach ache.
- Dark urine, possibly light stools
- Flu-like symptoms such as fever, body aches, nausea, and fatigue
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. We also call this 'jaundice'.
Symptoms that occur over a long period of time (Chronic)
Now, if you don't have the acute symptoms mentioned earlier, you may not feel anything for years. This is what we call 'chronic' hepatitis C. However, as the liver gradually starts to function less well, symptoms like these may appear:
- All of the symptoms mentioned earlier (such as stomach ache, jaundice) may return.
- Not only that, but other new features may also be added:
- Blood in the stool or vomiting blood
- Bleeding frequently, turning blue even from a small bruise
- An unbearable itching all over the body
- The palms appear red or dark.
- Spider angiomas (small spider-like blood vessels on the skin)
- The abdomen is filled with water and the abdomen swells (we call this `(Ascites)`)
How does this get transmitted to someone?
This is a question that many people ask. Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood . That is, it is transmitted when the blood of a person with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) enters the body of another person. Imagine, sharing needles used to inject drugs is reported to be the main way this is transmitted in many parts of the world.
But there are other ways it can be spread:
- A baby can get hepatitis C from a mother who has it (either during pregnancy or at birth).
- In the past, people were infected through blood transfusions that were not properly tested. But now that risk is much lower, because blood is thoroughly tested when it is donated.
- Sometimes, even in hospitals, if equipment that has not been properly sterilized is used, it can be transmitted through blood (but this is also very rare now).
- You can get infected by getting a tattoo or body piercing using equipment that has not been properly sterilized . You need to be very careful about this.
- Maybe if you share a razor or toothbrush with someone else that's stained with blood. Imagine sharing things like this among friends in a dormitory, right? There's a risk if you get blood from a small wound.
The important thing is, even if you don't have symptoms and don't know you have hepatitis C, you can still spread it. But remember, it's only spread through blood. It's not spread through things like saliva, sweat, shaking hands, or sharing food.
What happens to you if you get hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C does not affect everyone the same way. For some people, about 30 out of 100 , the virus is cleared by their own immune system when they first get it (the acute phase). This can take several months. However, for many people (about 70 out of 100), this does not happen on its own. After months of fighting, the body eventually develops a persistent infection with the virus, known as a 'chronic' infection.
What are the complications of having hepatitis C for a long time?
Chronic hepatitis C infection means that your liver has ongoing inflammation. This is like chronic liver disease. This ongoing inflammation gradually damages your liver over many years. Scarring occurs in the liver, which prevents it from functioning normally. This condition is called cirrhosis . This is the condition that many people fear. When cirrhosis becomes severe, the liver can completely fail (chronic liver failure).
Cirrhosis and liver failure can lead to further complications, such as:
- Increased pressure in the blood vessels connected to the liver (Portal Hypertension)
- Liver Cancer
How do doctors find this?
If you think you have hepatitis, or if you have symptoms of liver disease, you should see a doctor. The doctor will examine you and check for swelling, yellowing of the eyes, and other things.
After that, you will be asked to do several blood tests . The main ones are:
- Antibody test: This checks your blood for antibodies against the hepatitis C virus. If this is positive, it confirms that you have ever had hepatitis C.
- RNA test: If the antibody test is ``positive``, this test is done next. It checks whether the virus is still active in your body. That is, it can tell whether your body has cleared the virus on its own, or whether you are still infected.
- Genotype test: There are at least six main genotypes of the hepatitis C virus. This test can tell you which type of virus you have. This will help your doctor choose the best treatment for you.
- Liver function tests (LFTs): These check the overall health of your liver.
If blood tests show that your liver has been affected, your doctor may order other tests to further investigate the damage to your liver. One example is an ultrasound scan called Transient Elastography (Fibroscan) . This can measure the stiffness of the liver, or the extent of scarring/fibrosis.
What are the treatments?
This is really good news! There are now very effective treatments for hepatitis C. The main ones used are 'direct-acting antiviral' (DAA) drugs . These are medicines that are taken as pills. There are more than a dozen types of `DAA` drugs that work against different strains of the virus.
Here are some commonly prescribed medications (these are prescribed by the doctor):
- `Elbasvir/grazoprevir (Zepatier®)`
- `Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (Mavyret®)`
- ``Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni®)''
- ``Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (Epclusa®)''
- ``Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (Vosevi®)''
This medicine may be difficult for you to remember, but the doctor will choose the right medicine for you.
If you have had hepatitis C for a long time and your liver has been severely damaged, you may need other treatments. Some of the damage can be reversed, but some cannot. You may also need to treat other effects of liver disease. This `DAA` treatment usually lasts for two to six months. In some people, it can last longer.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
Most people do not experience major side effects from these `DAA` medications, but some people may experience minor side effects.
- A little stomach discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Sometimes a little difficulty breathing
If something like this happens, you should tell the doctor.
What else can I do to protect my liver?
If you have liver disease, there are several things you can do to prevent further liver damage. These are important for any liver disease, not just hepatitis C.
- If you drink alcohol, you should either stop it completely or reduce it significantly. Alcohol is an enemy to the liver.
- If you smoke, try to quit that too.
- If you haven't gotten the vaccines for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, get them. Because a liver that's already suffering from Hepatitis C can be hard to handle if it develops another type of hepatitis.
- Stay in touch with your doctor regularly and follow his/her instructions carefully.
Can't you protect yourself from hepatitis C?
The only way to protect yourself from this is to avoid getting infected blood . There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. Scientists are researching it, but because there are many different strains of this virus and it mutates quickly, it is a bit of a challenge to create a vaccine that works for everyone.
Therefore, we need to be careful about the transmission methods we discussed earlier:
- If you use drugs, don't share needles. (Indeed, it's best to completely abstain from drug use.)
- When getting tattoos or body piercings, choose places that use only sterilized, new equipment .
- Don't use other people's razors or toothbrushes.
What is the prognosis for hepatitis C?
We talked earlier about how some people, in the early stages of the virus (acute phase), can recover on their own. But for many people, it becomes a chronic infection. Even if you don't have symptoms or know you have it, chronic hepatitis C continues to damage your liver over time. That's why it's important to get regular checkups.
But, once you know you have it, there's nothing to worry about. Because the majority of hepatitis C infections can be completely cured with the antiviral medications that are now available! No matter how long you've had the disease, it can be cured.
However, for some people, even after hepatitis C is cured, some of the damage to the liver (especially cirrhosis) may not be reversible. About 20% of people who have had the disease for 20-30 years may develop this irreversible damage.
You may be surprised and worried when you find out you have hepatitis C. You may not feel sick at all, and you may not even know how or when you got it. But knowing that you have it is better than not knowing. Hepatitis C is a treatable disease. And if it is recognized and treated early, it can save your liver from long-term damage.
Remember the most important thing (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so, from what we've talked about, these are the most important things you need to remember:
- Hepatitis C is a virus that damages the liver. It often doesn't show symptoms at first.
- It is mainly transmitted through the ingestion of infected blood. It can also be transmitted through things like sharing needles and getting tattoos/piercings done with unsterilized equipment.
- Now there are very effective treatments for this (`DAA` drugs). It can be completely cured in a few months.
- If you think you may have been at risk, or if you have symptoms of liver disease, be sure to see a doctor for a checkup.
- If detected and treated early, serious damage to the liver (cirrhosis, cancer) can be prevented.
- Don't panic! The most important thing is to be informed and follow proper medical advice.
If you have any further questions about this, don't be shy and ask your doctor. Stay healthy!
` Hepatitis C, liver, virus, symptoms, treatment, transmission, cirrhosis, HCV, liver disease
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