Anyone can get hepatitis C. Many people live with this disease for many years and do not even realize that they have a mechanism running inside that will sooner or later lead to sad consequences. Such individuals actively infect others, and the incidence rate is constantly growing. To reduce these indicators, everyone should make it a rule to periodically undergo a hepatitis C test, especially if he is at risk.
Brief information about the disease
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) contains an RNA molecule that carries genetic information and special proteins that interact with the human body. It is transmitted primarily through sexual contact and through the blood. In some cases, a vertical transmission route is possible (i.e., from mother to child).
Penetrating into the body, it settles in various blood cells (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes) and the liver (hepatocytes).
The insidiousness of infection is the absence of symptoms of the acute phase. She immediately turns into a chronic asymptomatic and slowly carries out its destructive effect.
Effects
For years, from the beginning of the penetration of hepatitis C virus RNA to the onset of the first symptoms, many years, sometimes 15-20 years or more, may elapse. The occurrence of complaints is characteristic of the advanced form of hepatitis C, when the liver is already significantly affected. Most of these patients are diagnosed with the following hepatic pathologies:
- cirrhosis;
- necrosis;
- benign cysts;
- oncology.
Before the development of complications, the patient may notice a slight malaise, which usually does not attach importance.
Who is being tested
Hepatitis C virus RNA analysis is indicated for people who are more susceptible to infection. This group includes:
- drug addicts;
- promiscuous people;
- everyone who practices unprotected sex, especially with a new partner;
- fans of tattoos, piercings, beauty salons (hairdressers);
- persons who underwent surgical interventions (including childbirth, dental pathology);
- mothers of children born before 1990 (the fact is that at that time the disease had not yet been identified, therefore, when transfusing blood, such women were infected with an infection);
- children of sick mothers;
- relatives and sexual partners of the infected person;
- patients with chronic liver diseases of unknown nature.
The list is quite extensive, so few can say with confidence that its risk of infection is zero.
Home testing
Many would like to be tested for the determination of hepatitis C virus RNA, but do not go to the doctor because of constraint, lack of time, hostility to hospitals, etc.
Simple diagnostics with the help of a special rapid test (ELISA) will help to solve the problem. In this case, a qualitative method is used that determines only the fact of the presence of antibodies to the virus.
It acts on the principle of a test to determine pregnancy, but blood will be required as the test material:
- Complete with a plastic strip (monitor for evaluating the result) there is a special lancet that punctures a finger with the click of a button.
- Using the pipette included in the blood, the blood is placed in a special compartment, and after 10-15 minutes you can evaluate the response.
- Two bars indicate a positive result, one - a negative. The appearance of a second pale spot in the test area indicates the presence of the disease, but the concentration of antibodies in the blood is too low.
If the disease has been identified, you must go to the doctor for further examination.
Basic principles for the detection of hepatitis C virus RNA
With such results, it is necessary to contact the infectious disease specialist and hepatologist, who will prescribe additional studies.
The main thing in carrying out subsequent tests is to identify which genotype the detected hepatitis belongs to and determine its amount in the blood. Further treatment will depend on the data obtained, since all varieties differ from each other and can respond differently to drugs. In addition, microorganisms can skillfully disguise themselves.
Types of Research
When diagnosing HCV, one of the following methods is used:
- PCR In this case, we are talking about the genetic material of the pathogen.
- Quantitative analysis of hepatitis C virus RNA (r-DNK, TMA). Such an analysis is carried out after confirmation of the presence of the pathogen in the body. It is also called viral load. It allows you to identify the number of pathogenic representatives in 1 ml of blood. The duration of treatment and the degree of contagion of the patient depend on these indicators. R-DNK performs testing in the range over 500 ME, and TMA in 5-10 ME. Both methods are classified as simple and cheap.
- Genotyping. It is carried out last and allows you to clarify which variety the identified disease belongs to.
Evaluation of the results
If the analysis of hepatitis C virus RNA gave a positive result by PCR and ELISA, the diagnosis is confirmed. However, a negative result does not guarantee no infection. Unfortunately, this happens often, because reagents with different sensitivities can be used in the process.
Many are interested in what it means "RNA of hepatitis C virus was not detected." Such an indicator may indeed indicate the absence of the disease or its small concentration. For example, PCR 200 ME / ML will give a false result if the patient has a small number of viral copies. This can happen with a recent infection or with treatment.
Often the patient does not need to possess such information, since the attending physician should take these points into account.
The detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in a quantitative study of 400,000 ME or more says that the virus is not only present in the blood, but also actively multiplies, thereby infecting others. If the indicator is close to 800,000, this indicates an acute phase and active damage to liver cells.
Although the opinions of experts differ here. Some of them argue that there is no relationship with the rate of disease progression and the number of copies of the virus.
Such patients should be especially careful in communicating with their loved ones.
Additional examination
After determining the hepatitis C virus RNA, other studies may be prescribed to the patient, including:
- detection of hepatitis B;
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- biochemistry;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
- MRI or CT of the liver (as indicated).
After receiving all the necessary information, the doctor carefully studies the results, the patient’s state of health, and then selects an individual treatment regimen for him.
With timely detection of liver damage, as a rule, is absent.
Therapeutic methods and terms
The duration of treatment depends on the genotype. To date, 11 varieties are known, of which 6 are most common. In Russia, the most common type 1, 2, 3.
A few years ago, hepatitis C was part of a group of incurable diseases. Therapy, carried out mainly by interferons, could significantly improve the patient's condition, but not completely cure him.
A breakthrough in the treatment of the disease was the drug Sofosbuvir, which appeared in pharmacies under the other brand name Sovaldi. To date, there are several analogues of an effective tool:
- Viropack
- Gratiziano
- "Hepatinate";
- Gopetavir.
Often they are well tolerated by patients, but in some cases are observed:
- headache;
- nausea;
- insomnia;
- loss of appetite;
- cramps
- migraine;
- Depression
- a feeling of dry mouth;
- chest pain;
- hair loss.
The only drawback of such treatment is the extremely high cost (an average of 10,000-12,000 rubles per package), which, depending on the chosen medication, can vary up or down.
Repeat research
After treatment, lasting from 12 to 24 weeks, the patient will be assigned a second test for the presence of viral RNA in the blood.
In this case, it will be necessary to apply the method with a minimum threshold of sensitivity, since after exposure to drugs, the concentration of HCV may be negligible. In this case, treatment will need to be continued.
A negative result is the absence of hepatitis C virus when the pathogen RNA is not detected. Such a study will need to be carried out several more times (at short intervals) to make sure that the treatment has been successful.
Prevention
Everyone who has undergone a long and expensive treatment for hepatitis C should remember that the body does not develop immunity to it, so re-infection is possible.
This disease is easier to prevent than to cure. It will not be possible to completely protect yourself from possible danger, but in order not to ask later what “RNA of hepatitis C virus is detected”, the following precautions must be observed:
- Do not use other people's personal hygiene items (razors, scissors, dental floss);
- Avoid unprotected sex
- visit dentistry, salons (beauty, tattoo, etc.) only with a good reputation;
- cover with a plaster or bandage all damage to the skin;
- if possible avoid contact with the infected.
Forecast
The sooner the disease has been identified, the more effective the treatment will be. Usually, in the absence of damage to the internal organs, hepatitis C is completely cured and without consequences.
If hepatitis C is not treated, sooner or later it will lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. This can happen even 30-40 years after infection with the virus.
Cirrhosis caused by hepatitis C is a chronic incurable disease. In the early stages, you can slow down its course, in the advanced case, only a liver transplant can save a person.
Having learned about the positive result for hepatitis C, you do not need to panic right away. First, you need to check the condition of your liver and begin to fight infection and related pathologies. The treatment is long and expensive, but gives the patient a chance for a long and healthy life.