Hepatitis C belongs to the group of infectious diseases of the liver. Human infection occurs through the blood in which the virus is located. If infected blood enters the bloodstream of another person, then he is infected. Today, hepatitis C is quite widespread throughout the world. They infected about 2% of the world's population. Unfortunately, every year there are only more sick people. Symptoms of hepatitis C are not pronounced, and this is what ensures the constant spread of this virus.
The main reason for the transmission of hepatitis C virus is drug addiction. People who use drugs and use the same syringe are at risk for hepatitis C.
In 70-80% of all cases, the disease leads to the transition of the acute phase to the chronic one. Symptoms of hepatitis C may not manifest themselves for a very long time, which provides more and more new cases of the disease. Chronic hepatitis C is dangerous because at any moment it can go into cirrhosis or malignant neoplasms of the liver, the treatment of which is sometimes simply impossible.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
After the virus enters the human body, a latent (silent) period of the disease begins, which can last from two weeks to a year. If the disease started acutely, then after 2-3 weeks the symptoms of hepatitis C will be manifested by joint pain, fatigue, causeless weakness, dyspeptic disorders. In rare cases, temperature can rise, jaundice occurs even less often. Diagnosis of acute hepatitis C is not difficult, but in most cases happens by chance at various medical examinations.
At the end of the acute phase, hepatitis C can both be cured and go into the chronic phase, as well as into the phase of the virus carrier (the person is not sick, but is able to infect others). In 60-80% of cases, the disease goes into a chronic stage. This transition lasts for years. During this time, liver cells are gradually destroyed, replaced by fibrin and lose their function.
The work of the liver itself remains for a long time. The first symptoms of hepatitis C in the chronic phase can appear only with the development of cirrhosis. Jaundice appears, portal hypertension (the appearance of a venous pattern on the abdomen), severe weakness.
Hepatitis C treatment
The main principle of treating the disease is a timely visit to a therapist. Only a qualified specialist can conduct effective treatment for hepatitis C. Its cost will be much lower, unlike self-medication with all kinds of dietary supplements and herbal supplements. The treatment itself is of a combined nature and is aimed at restoring and maintaining liver function, as well as eliminating the infection itself.
Most often, timely started therapy leads to a favorable outcome of the disease. At the same time, a person who has hepatitis C should remember the precautionary measures and not use household linen, detergents (washcloths, towels), razors, etc. with family members.