Let's learn more about Hepatitis C. Don't be afraid, let's talk!

You may have heard the name `Hepatitis C`. You may have felt a little scared. But don't worry. This is a disease related to the liver, but if you are properly informed about it, you can do a lot. Today, we will talk about this disease called `Hepatitis C` in a simple way that you can understand.

What is Hepatitis C? Let's understand it simply.

Simply put, Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects our liver . The cause of this is the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). When this virus enters the liver, it causes inflammation, that is, swelling.

Some people are lucky because their immune system fights the virus and gets rid of it. It's a short-term illness and they get better. But, unfortunately, for many people, that doesn't happen. They can have the virus in their body for a long time, sometimes for the rest of their lives. We call this chronic hepatitis C infection .

This chronic infection is what can be dangerous. Over time, it can cause serious damage to the liver. For example:

• Cirrhosis of the liver: This means that the liver becomes stiff, shrunken, and unable to function properly.
• Liver Cancer: Long-term damage can lead to the development of liver cancer cells.
• Liver Failure: The liver can become completely dysfunctional, and a liver transplant may be necessary.

Therefore, it is very important to be aware of this.

How does someone get Hepatitis C? Let's be aware!

Now let's see how this `Hepatitis C` virus is transmitted from one person to another. The main way is when the blood of an infected person enters the body of a healthy person. Also, very rarely, it can be transmitted through body fluids.

Look at how contagious this is:

• Sharing needles and equipment: This is the most common way. If people who inject drugs use the same needles and syringes, the virus can easily be passed from one infected person to another. It can also happen by sharing equipment used to inject drugs.
• Tattooing or piercing with uncleaned equipment: There is a high chance of getting a tattoo or piercing using equipment that has not been properly sterilized, that is, not cleaned. Therefore, it is very important to choose places that use very clean, new equipment when doing these things.
• Sexual Contact: Although this is not as common as other methods, if you have unprotected sex with someone who has Hepatitis C, especially if there are wounds in the genital area, there is a chance that blood may come into contact and become infected.
• Mother-to-child transmission: A pregnant mother with Hepatitis C can pass the virus to her baby during birth.
• Blood Transfusion or Organ Transplant: In the past, Hepatitis C was also transmitted this way. However , now, since blood donations and organ transplants are thoroughly tested for the presence of this virus, the risk of transmission through these methods is very low, that is, it happens very rarely. Also, patients undergoing hemodialysis used to have this risk, but now due to control measures, it has also decreased.
• Sharing household items: This is also a very rare occurrence. However, if someone else uses something like a razor, toothbrush, or scissors that has been contaminated with the blood of an infected person, there is a small chance that they could be infected. Therefore, it is best to avoid sharing such personal items with others as much as possible.

Hepatitis C is most common in adults. Unfortunately, in some parts of the world, the disease is increasing in prevalence, especially among young people (aged 20-29) who inject drugs. Some young people become addicted to opioids and, when they are no longer available, start injecting drugs such as heroin, which are easily available and cheap. This is a dangerous situation.

Specialist doctors sadly point out that if women of childbearing age turn to drugs and contract Hepatitis C, the risk of transmitting the disease to their newborn babies increases.

What is the difference between acute and chronic hepatitis C?

Doctors talk about two types of Hepatitis C infection: acute and chronic.

• Acute Hepatitis C: This is a short-term condition. It occurs within 6 months of exposure to the virus, meaning the virus has entered the body. Some people clear the virus from their bodies and recover.
• Chronic Hepatitis C: However, if the virus remains in the body for 6 months after it enters the body, it is called chronic `Hepatitis C`. This means that the virus remains in the body and can cause a lifelong illness. It is with this chronic condition that damage to the liver begins.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C? Is it possible to have no symptoms at all?

This is the biggest problem with Hepatitis C. It can be a "silent but deadly" infection. That is, many people who are infected with the virus do not show any symptoms. Think of it like a thief. It can enter the body and stay there for years without making any noise. You may not feel any pain. But it gradually damages the liver. Most people only find out they have the disease when a serious problem occurs.

Also, even if you don't have symptoms, you can still spread it to someone else. That's why it's dangerous.

However, some people may develop symptoms of acute hepatitis C. These are somewhat similar to the symptoms of hepatitis A and hepatitis B. They include:

• Jaundice: Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin.
• Fever.
• Nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite.
• Belly pain: You may experience pain, especially in the upper right side of your abdomen.
• Joint pain.
• Darker than usual urine or gray-colored stools.

People with chronic hepatitis C can sometimes have vague, general symptoms. For example, they may feel very tired or have a depressed mood . Young children often don't show any symptoms. They only start to have symptoms years later, when their liver is severely damaged.

What serious conditions can Hepatitis C cause?

As we've discussed before, Hepatitis C is a more serious type of hepatitis compared to other types of hepatitis. This is because it can cause long-term damage to the liver.

If not treated properly, chronic Hepatitis C can lead to life-threatening conditions such as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.

Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplants in adults in some countries.

But, don't be afraid when I say this. Because, fortunately, there are now very effective treatments for Hepatitis C. There are now medications that can completely cure many people of this disease. We will talk about that in a bit.

How do doctors diagnose Hepatitis C?

The only way to know for sure if you have Hepatitis C is to get a blood test . This test checks to see if you have antibodies against the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Having antibodies means you have been exposed to the virus at some point. Then, more tests are done to confirm if the virus is still in your body.

Doctors generally advise people like these to get tested for Hepatitis C:

• Anyone who has ever injected drugs (even once).
• People who received a blood or organ donation a long time ago (for example, before 1992) when blood testing methods were not so advanced.
• Patients undergoing hemodialysis .
• People with HIV infection or other chronic liver diseases.
• Babies born to mothers with Hepatitis C.
• People who have been exposed to the blood of someone with Hepatitis C (e.g., a healthcare worker who is exposed to a needle stick).
• If you have unexplained liver problems or the symptoms mentioned above.
• Some countries even recommend that everyone in certain age groups get this test, because it can be present even without symptoms.

If you have any doubts about this, the best thing to do is to see a doctor and get advice.

What are the treatments for Hepatitis C? Can it be cured?

Here is the good news when it comes to Hepatitis C! A few years ago, Hepatitis C was considered a disease that was difficult to cure and required long-term treatment. But now the situation has completely changed!

With great advances in medical science, highly effective oral medicines have been discovered for Hepatitis C. These medicines can completely cure most people, more than 90% of them, within a short period of time, such as 2-3 months! This is truly an amazing development.

These new drugs were very expensive when they first came out. However, their prices have gradually come down. Health experts hope that as more people start to be diagnosed with Hepatitis C, these drugs will become more affordable.

Even for the small number of people (about 10%) who do not respond to standard treatments, new drugs are being developed. This means that in the future, almost everyone will be able to recover completely from this disease. For example, there are reports of new antiviral drug combinations being submitted for approval by agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

So, if you find out that you or someone you know has Hepatitis C, don't panic. See a doctor immediately and start treatment.

What happens after you recover from Hepatitis C?

Even if you are completely cured of Hepatitis C, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• A person who has ever tested positive for Hepatitis C cannot donate blood. This is a measure to protect others.
• If you have hepatitis C due to drug use, it is very important to seek counseling or other treatment to overcome your addiction to drugs . Otherwise, you may be reinfected due to your bad habits.

Can Hepatitis C be prevented?

This is a very important question. Unfortunately, unlike Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, there is no vaccine yet to protect against Hepatitis C.

Therefore, the best way to protect yourself from Hepatitis C is to avoid risky behaviors that can transmit the disease.

In particular, never share needles, syringes, or other items used to inject drugs with others. Always use new, clean equipment.

And also,

• When getting tattoos or body piercings , only go to trusted places that use sterilized, clean equipment .
• Avoid unprotected sex.
• Do not share personal items like razors and toothbrushes with others.

By taking care of these things, you can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the Hepatitis C virus.

So, after all this talk, what are the most important things we need to remember? (Take-Home Message)

Well, we've talked a lot about Hepatitis C today, haven't we? Out of all this, the most important things to keep in mind are these:

1. Hepatitis C is a virus that damages the liver. If it becomes chronic, it can lead to serious conditions like cirrhosis and cancer.

2. It is mainly transmitted through the ingestion of infected blood. The main risks are drug needle sharing and dirty tattoo equipment.

3. Many people do not show symptoms, so it is wise to get tested if you are in risk groups.

4. The good news is, there are now very effective treatments for this! Many people can be completely cured with oral medication.

5. Prevention is the best. Since there is no vaccine, it is essential to avoid risky behaviors.

If you have any further questions, concerns, or doubts about this, please see a doctor and talk to them. There is no reason to be afraid or embarrassed. Your health is very important to you. So, let's be aware and try to stay healthy!

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