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 them, which sooner or later will lead to sad consequences. Such persons actively infect others, and the incidence rate is constantly growing. To reduce these rates, everyone should make it a point to get periodically tested for hepatitis C, especially if they are 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 mainly through sexual contact and through the blood. In some cases, vertical transmission is possible (i.e. from mother to child).
Penetrating into the body, it settles in various blood cells (neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes) and liver (hepatocytes).
The insidiousness of the infection lies in the absence of symptoms of the acute phase. It immediately becomes chronic asymptomatic and slowly carries out its destructive effect.
Consequences
It can take many years, sometimes 15-20 years or more, from the beginning of the hepatitis C virus RNA penetration into the body until the first symptoms appear. The occurrence of complaints is typical for an 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 is usually ignored.
Who is analyzed
An analysis for hepatitis C virus RNA is indicated for people who are more susceptible to infection. This group includes:
- addicts;
- promiscuous people;
- everyone who practices unprotected intercourse, especially with a new partner;
- fans of tattoos, piercings, beauty salons (hairdressers);
- persons who have undergone surgery (including childbirth, dental pathology);
- mothers of children born before 1990 (the fact is that at that time the disease had not yet been detected, therefore, such women were infected with an infection during blood transfusion);
- children of sick mothers;
- relatives and sexual partners of the infected person;
- patients with unexplained chronic liver disease.
The list is quite extensive, so few people can say for sure that their risk of infection is zero.
Homemadetesting
Many would like to get tested for HCV RNA, but do not go to the doctor due to embarrassment, lack of time, hostility to hospitals, etc.
Solve the problem will help a simple diagnosis using a special rapid test (ELISA). In this case, a qualitative method is used, which determines only the presence of antibodies to the virus.
Acts like a pregnancy test, but requires blood as test material:
- Included with a plastic strip (a monitor for evaluating the result) is a special lancet that pierces a finger with one press of a button.
- With the help of the included pipette, the blood is placed in a special compartment, and after 10-15 minutes you can evaluate the answer.
- Two bars indicate a positive result, one - a negative one. 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 detecting hepatitis C virus RNA
With such results, you need to contact an infectious disease specialist and a 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 are different.from each other and may respond differently to drugs. In addition, microorganisms are able to skillfully disguise.
Types of studies
When diagnosing HCV, use one of the following methods:
- PCR. In this case, we are talking about the genetic material of the pathogen.
- Quantitative analysis for hepatitis C virus RNA (r-DNK, TMA). Such an analysis is carried out after confirming 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 contagiousness of the patient depend on these indicators. R-DNK tests in the range of over 500 ME, and TMA in 5-10 ME. Both methods are considered simple and cheap.
- Genotyping. It is performed last and allows you to clarify which variety the identified disease belongs to.
Evaluation of 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 the absence of infection. Unfortunately, this happens often because reagents with different sensitivities may be used in the process.
Many are interested in what it means "Hepatitis C virus RNA not found". Such an indicator can indeed indicate the absence of the disease or its low concentration. For example, PCR 200 ME / ML will give a false result if the patient has a small number of viral copies. This can happenrecent infection or treatment.
Often, the patient does not need to have such information, since the attending physician should take these points into account.
Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in a quantitative study of 400,000 IU and more indicates that the virus is not only present in the blood, but also actively multiplies, while infecting others. If the indicator is close to 800,000, this indicates an acute phase and active damage to liver cells.
Although here the opinions of experts differ. Some of them argue that there is no relationship with the rate of progression of the disease 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 RNA of the hepatitis C virus, other tests may be prescribed to the patient, including:
- hepatitis B detection;
- general blood and urine tests;
- biochemistry;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
- MRI or CT liver (as indicated).
After receiving all the necessary information, the doctor carefully examines the results, the patient's state of he alth, and then selects an individual treatment regimen for him.
When detected early, there is usually no liver damage.
Therapeutic methods and timing
The duration of treatment depends on the genotype. To date, 11 varieties are known, of which 6 are most common. In Russia, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd type are the most common.
A few years agohepatitis C was included in the group of incurable diseases. Therapy, carried out mainly with interferons, could significantly improve the patient's condition, but not cure him completely.
A breakthrough in the treatment of the disease was the drug "Sofosbuvir", which appeared in pharmacies under a different trade name "Sovaldi". To date, there are several analogues of an effective remedy:
- "Viropack";
- "Graticiano";
- "Hepcinat";
- "Gopetavir".
Often they are well tolerated by patients, but in some cases there are:
- headache;
- nausea;
- insomnia;
- loss of appetite;
- convulsions;
- migraines;
- depression;
- feeling dry mouth;
- chest pain;
- hair loss.
The only drawback of such treatment is the extremely high cost (on average 10,000-12,000 rubles per package), which, depending on the chosen medication, can vary up or down.
Re-examination
After the end of treatment, which lasts from 12 to 24 weeks, the patient will be scheduled for a second test for the presence of viral RNA in the blood.
In this case, it will be necessary to use a 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 the hepatitis C virus when no RNA of the pathogen is detected. Such a study will need to be repeated several times (at short intervals) to make sure that the treatment has been successful.
Prevention
Everyone who has undergone 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 it means "Hepatitis C virus RNA detected", the following precautions must be observed:
- do not use other people's personal hygiene items (razors, scissors, dental floss);
- avoid unprotected sex;
- visit dentists, salons (beauty, tattoo, etc.) only with a good reputation;
- cover with a plaster or bandage all damage to the skin;
- avoid contact with the infected if possible.
Forecast
The earlier the disease is detected, the more effective the treatment will be. Usually, in the absence of damage to the internal organs, hepatitis C is cured completely and without consequences.
If left untreated, hepatitis C will sooner or later lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. This can happen even 30-40 years after infection with the virus.
Cirrhosis that appeared underexposure to hepatitis C, is a chronic incurable disease. In the early stages, you can slow down its course, in an advanced case, only liver transplantation can save a person.
When you learn about a positive result for hepatitis C, you do not need to immediately panic. First you need to check the condition of your liver and start fighting the infection and related pathologies. The treatment is long and expensive, but gives the patient a chance for a long and he althy life.
