Poorly known, hepatitis C is a disease that fear. Let's take on this disease, its symptoms and treatment of hepatitis C.The liver is an organ with multiple functions: Further food processing, it produces active elements in the proper blood clotting, it stores energy in the form of sugar, it makes some harmless poisons such as alcohol or drugs and finally allows other organs such as the kidneys, brain ... work well. When hepatitis C strikes our liver, here are the symptoms, risks and treatments.
Symptoms
The incubation period of hepatitis C is slow and it can remain silent. After 2 or 3 months after infection, the victim of hepatitis C may be in a state of great fatigue, digestive problems noted, feel pain in the liver or itching in the area and cause jaundice. It is good to know that the intensity of symptoms gave no hint of the intensity of hepatitis. If hepatitis C continues 6 months after virus infection, it is defined as chronic.
Diagnosis
The doctor's diagnosis happens first in a palpable liver. If it shows signs of hepatitis, the doctor directs the patient a second time to analyzes that determine if hepatitis is viral or not. A blood test will reveal if the serum transaminase and bilirubin levels are of concern (high rate is not proportional to the intensity of hepatitis), but also look for traces of anti-HCV antibodies specific to the hepatitis C. Biopsy, namely tissue analysis on a sample of liver, may determine the activity of hepatitis C, liver condition and help guide the doctor to the right treatment.
Treatments
The treatment of hepatitis C involves the immediate cessation of all medications and alcohol. Plenty of rest is needed to overcome the state of tiredness. If hepatitis C is a chronic and progress judged by the physician, interferon combined with ribavirin (an antiviral) are prescribed. This is called combination therapy. This treatment has the disadvantage of trigger symptoms resembling those of influenza: fever, ache, head words the day after the injection and pain, taste disturbance, partial loss of hair, dry skin .. . However, after discontinuation of treatment, these side effects continue in the majority of cases. Prevention side, you should know that there is no vaccine against hepatitis C.
Risks by carrying the hepatitis C depends on the time evolution of the virus before it could not be detected. Such as hepatitis C can be a silent disease, many patients wait several years before serious viewing. The risks of untreated hepatitis C are cirrhosis and cancer.
Modes of contamination
Contamination of hepatitis C is through blood. That contamination is through sex is wrong: During intercourse, the hepatitis C can be transmitted, but this requires that both people have injuries that make their blood comes into contact with each other. Rules of course a woman can contain viruses and infected person must of course protect his or her partner (s) sex with a condom. If a pregnant woman is infected with hepatitis C, the baby is at risk of contamination during childbirth.
Our board
The entourage of people living with hepatitis C should take precautions to avoid any exchange of blood, even a few drops: Do not borrow a toothbrush, razor, hair removal equipment, nail clippers, ... patients. And, of course, syringes! For anyone exposed to the virus and presenting a risk of contamination, it is important to get tested early.
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