Many people are very worried and scared of hepatitis C. How to get infected is one of the main questions, but first you need to figure out what this virus is. Interestingly, it was discovered recently, in 1989, by American scientists, before that it was called “hepatitis neither A nor B”. Hepatitis C is a very common disease, about 500 million people worldwide suffer from it. With the increase in drug addiction, the number of people infected with this type of hepatitis is growing. Usually this is a disease of young people, but gradually it “gets old”, also hepatitis C is the main reason why people need
a liver transplant. Statistics on this disease began much later, compared with other hepatitis. The virus itself enters the liver cells, where it begins to multiply intensively.
How and where infection can occur
Now that we have examined hepatitis C in more detail, how to get infected, it becomes an even more pressing issue. Let's consider it in more detail. Infection occurs by contact with infected blood, such contact can occur in many places. The main risk group is drug addicts who use one syringe, medical workers and people in prisons. Infection in hospitals occurs with a blood transfusion, surgery, during a visit to the dentist. But this risk is greater in developing countries, where less attention is paid to sterility and sanitation. No less risky are tattoos and piercing salons. Infection during sex and at home is possible, but does not occur so often.
Infection in the family
Consider another aspect - a family that is also affected by hepatitis C. How can you get infected
in family? The possibility of infection during sex is very small, only 3-5%, but this is if you have a regular partner. With a large number of partners and erratic sexual relationships, the risk of infection increases. To protect yourself, you need to use a condom. From a mother with hepatitis C to a baby, the virus can be transmitted exclusively during childbirth, and then only in 5% of cases. Such a mother is recommended to cancel breastfeeding. If the family has a sick person, then you can not use common towels, razors, toothbrushes, manicure sets, etc. If such a person is injured, the dressing should be done with gloves, the place where the blood got should be thoroughly disinfected. The virus dies in 2 minutes of boiling, or 30 minutes at 60 degrees.
Consequences of infection
It has already become clear why it is worth fearing not to get hepatitis C. We have already learned how to get infected, but what happens if a person does not protect? Symptoms may not be from 10 to 40 years, which is why the hepatitis C virus is called a silent, or affectionate, killer. Then most people develop
chronic hepatitis, and they suffer from cirrhosis or liver cancer. The only thing that people with hepatitis C can feel is chronic fatigue, although there are other symptoms. Some people just become carriers of the infection. There is also a small chance to get hepatitis, and, accordingly, to recover. But it will not give you absolutely no immunity. You need to be very careful, because most people still suffer from chronic hepatitis C.