Hepatitis C belongs to the group of infectious diseases of the liver. Infection of a person occurs through the blood in which the virus is located. If infected blood enters the bloodstream of another person, then he becomes infected. To date, hepatitis C is quite widespread throughout the world. They infect about 2% of the world's population. Unfortunately, every year there are only more cases. The symptoms of hepatitis C are not pronounced, and this is what ensures the constant spread of this virus.
The main cause of hepatitis C virus transmission is drug addiction. People who use drugs and use the same syringe are at risk for contracting hepatitis C.
In 70-80% of all cases, the disease leads to the transition of the acute phase into a chronic one. Symptoms of hepatitis C may not manifest themselves for a very long time, which ensures more and more new cases of the disease. Chronic hepatitis C is dangerous because at any time it can turn into cirrhosis or malignant neoplasms of the liver, the treatment of which is sometimes simply impossible.
Hepatitis C symptoms
After the virus enters the human bodythe latent (quiet) period of the disease begins, which can last from two weeks to a year. If the disease began acutely, then after 2-3 weeks the symptoms of hepatitis C will be manifested by pain in the joints, fatigue, causeless weakness, dyspeptic disorders. In rare cases, the temperature may rise, and jaundice occurs even more rarely. Diagnosis of acute hepatitis C is not difficult, but in most cases it occurs by chance at various medical examinations.
At the end of the acute phase, hepatitis C can either be cured or go into the chronic phase, as well as into the virus carrier phase (the person is not sick, but is able to infect others). In 60-80% of cases, the disease becomes chronic. This transition has been going on for years. During this time, liver cells are gradually destroyed, replaced by fibrin and lose their function.
The work of the liver itself has been preserved for a long time. The first symptoms of hepatitis C in the chronic phase may appear only with the development of cirrhosis. Jaundice appears, portal hypertension (appearance of a venous pattern on the abdomen), severe weakness.
Hepatitis C treatment
The main principle of the treatment of the disease is the timely appeal to the therapist. Only a qualified specialist can carry out an effective treatment of hepatitis C. The cost of it will be much lower, in contrast to self-treatment with all kinds of dietary supplements and herbal preparations. The treatment itself is combined in nature and is aimed at restoring and maintaining liver function, andalso to eliminate the infection itself.
Most often, timely therapy leads to a favorable outcome of the disease. At the same time, a person with hepatitis C should remember the precautions and not use the same linen, washing accessories (washcloths, towels), razors, etc. with family members.
