Hepatitis C

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Pathologic jaundice or Hepatitis especially in adults and older children is much more complicated than before. It is caused by different families of viruses. Today six forms of Hepatitis are known:

• Hepatitis A: It is transmitted by oral route due to consumption of infected food and water. Read more>>
• Hepatitis B: It is a sexually transmitted disease. Read more>>
• Hepatitis C: Transmitted by blood transfusion and infected needle. Read Below.
• Hepatitis D: Infection acquired in people already infected with Hepatitis B. Read more>>
• Hepatitis E: Water borne. Read more>>
• Chemical Hepatitis: Caused by alcohol, some anesthetics, many drugs.

There are mainly two types of viral hepatitis. One is food-borne and the other blood-borne. The former does not cause chronic liver disease, but the latter, may cause long term chronic liver disease that has lethal consequences later in life.

HepC is caused by the Hepatitis virus C (HCV). It is the major cause of the acute hepatitis and chronic liver disease such as liver cancer in later years of life.

Transmission

Mainly by direct contact with blood. Mainly transmitted through infected blood transfusion or by sharing of needle for drug abuse. Body piercing, tattooing, circumcision, all can transmit the infection. Sexual or perinatal (from mother to child) transmission is also documented but is rare. It is not spread by sneezing, hugging, coughing, sharing of food, or casual contact.

Symptoms

Major symptoms include fatigue and jaundice. However, majority of the cases are asymptomatic.

Diagnosis

Is mainly by blood test. There are test kits available commercially today but it is better supplemented by more complex tests such as PCR. Such tests are only possible in specialized laboratories.

Treatment

There is no vaccine against HCV. Some antiviral drugs do exist but they are very expensive. Also they are effective in only some patients.

Prevention

The best prevention measures include screening of all blood and organ donors. Also, health care professionals and other health care settings must observe proper sterilization of medical equipments and needles.

Compiled by: Indrajit Sinha, Last updated: 02.12.07 © Medhospital Foundation

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