 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Hepatitis CPublished by BUPA's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, December 2006. This factsheet is for people who have been diagnosed with hepatitis C (hep C) and those who want to know more about the virus. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver and can have several causes, the most common of which is an infection with a hepatitis virus. There are a number of different hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis C, and each differs in the way it's passed from person to person and the effect it can have on health. Hepatitis C is sometimes called hep C or HCV. For information about hepatitis, A or B please see the separate BUPA factsheets, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.
Causes of hepatitis CHepatitis can have several causes including:
Of these, infection with a virus is the most common cause. About hepatitis CThere are different strains of hepatitis C. Different strains are more common in different countries. The most common in the UK and Europe are genotypes 1,2,3. There are also subtypes which are labelled a, b and c. How do you get hepatitis C?Someone infected with hepatitis C has the virus in their blood. If blood from an infected person gets into your bloodstream you can get hepatitis C. There are a number of ways this could happen including:
SexIf you have unprotected sex with an infected person you may get hepatitis C, although this is rare. It is not known whether the infection that occurs is due to a couple having sex or for other reasons such as sharing a contaminated personal item such as a toothbrush or razor where blood transmission occurs. People with new or casual sexual partners should practice safe sex and use condoms. From mother to babyIt is possible for the hepatitis C virus to be passed on during childbirth but this is also rare. In the UK, the virus is spread from a mother with hepatitis C to her baby 6 times in 100 births. There is no evidence to suggest that a mother can pass the virus to her baby through breastfeeding. Where is hepatitis C common?The exact number of people infected is not known but it is estimated that about 1 in 1000 people have hepatitis C in the UK and about 170 million people worldwide carry the virus. Most cases are in people who have injected illegal drugs using contaminated needles. Symptoms of hepatitis CHepatitis C has an incubation period of about 7-8 weeks. This is the time from exposure to the virus to the start of symptoms. Many people never have any symptoms of hepatitis. They are known as asymptomatic carriers; they are still infectious and can unknowingly pass on the disease to others. Symptoms of hepatitis, when there are any, can be similar to flu. They can include:
Jaundice sometimes develops and makes your skin go yellow. This is caused by a yellow-coloured substance in the blood called bilirubin. It's usually broken down by the liver, but if your liver is affected by hepatitis, it's unable to break it down. Raised bilirubin levels in your blood cause the whites of your eyes to go yellow and your urine to become dark. Jaundice can also cause your skin to itch. Most people only develop mild hepatitis symptoms and it is unusual for symptoms to be severe. This means that you may not notice that you are infected. Complications of hepatitis CAbout 5-30 percent of people who are infected develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) over a period of 20-30 years. This can lead to liver failure (called fulminant hepatitis). Some people may become so seriously ill that they need a liver transplant. Acute and chronic hepatitis CHepatitis C can be "acute" or "chronic".
About 80 percent of people infected go on to develop chronic hepatitis C. A person who has the virus in their body for a long time without experiencing symptoms is called a carrier. Most carriers are infectious but some get rid of the virus after a few years. Diagnosis of hepatitis CYour doctor will examine you and ask you about your symptoms. He or she may ask you for a blood sample. The sample will be sent to a laboratory for examination to find out if you are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Rather than show whether the virus is present, the sample will show if your body is producing antibodies against it. The test may therefore need to be repeated as it may take a long time (weeks or even months) for your body to start producing antibodies. If tests results show that you have hepatitis C you may have further tests including:
Treatment of hepatitis CMost people with acute hepatitis C do not need any treatment. If you are diagnosed with hepatitis C, your GP will generally advise you to rest as you may feel more tired than usual. Taking a painkiller that you would normally take for a headache, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may be useful. Always read the patient information leaflet. You should not take paracetamol as it is processed by the liver. As your liver will not be working properly, it is also strongly advisable to not drink any alcohol. If you have jaundice and your skin is itchy you can try preparations such as calamine lotion or crotamiton (Eurax). If you have been infected with chronic hepatitis C you may find treatment helpful. Antiviral medicationHepatitis C treatment can include the use of antiviral treatments. These are usually prescribed by a specialist nurse or consultant that your GP will refer you to. The antiviral drugs include the following.
These drugs are not suitable for everyone, your consultant or specialist nurse will give you advice about whether they are the best treatment for you. How can I avoid passing on the virus?If you are infected with hepatitis C it is important not to spread it to others. You should:
Prevention of hepatitis CYou can prevent getting hepatitis C by avoiding the risk factors above. There is currently no vaccine available to prevent people that are at risk from becoming infected with the hepatitis C virus. Further information
Sources
Related topicsThis information was published by BUPA's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence and has been reviewed by BUPA doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional. Publication date: December 2006. Expected review date: December 2008.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![Print-friendly version [opens in a new window]](/images/icons/icn_printer.gif){kind=icon}
|
|
|
||||
 |
 |
|||||
| ||||||
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|