Crucial Information On Hepatitis C: “Stuff you cannot miss”

A new study shows that those carrying the Hep C virus cannot separate fact from fiction when it comes to information about the disease.

It is known to the world as the “silent virus”, and till date there are numerous people who are living with the virus but are unaware of its possession. This virus dangerous in its final outcomes spreads from blood to blood contact and at its end damages the liver leading to chronic illness and eventually death. We cannot deny that there are futuristic strides in this field and recent developments of oral medication have been remarkable to kill the virus and provide a fresh new lease for life.

Governments all over the world have been providing programs to provide accessibility for these medications although pricing and affordability still seems to be a major concern. The oral medications are expensive and most cannot afford the full dose without external aid. Hep C is widely prevalent in our society, and those dealing with it and awaiting treatment can face enormous difficulties. Recently developed oral medications are the only way out of this menace.

According to Nicola Perry, Chairperson of the Hepatitis C Partnership, everyone with the virus should be encouraged to have a fibroscan – a free, quick and painless way to check their liver health. Of course bottom line unlike any other foundation or health care provider our message too is the same, that no one should die from this disease when there is an available cure. There are many things that should be taken into consideration regarding Hep C and general awareness of this disease is important not only for patients but for healthcare providers and people working to eradicate this disease.

We have outlined several facts regarding Hepatitis C, and this information is extremely important for patients to understand the nature of the disease as well as utilizing information during the road to recovery.

Hep C virus was identified 27 years age in 1989. It is a contagious liver disease and it ranges from mild illness lasting a few weeks, to a serious lifelong illness leading to inflammation of the liver and causing the immune system to attack healthy liver cells.

The numbers may be higher, but globally there are more than 130 million people that have Hep C and more than seven hundred thousand people die worldwide from liver related ailments.

Homeless people and people who are habitual drug users are at a higher risk of infection. Hep C can be 30 times more infectious than HIV. The virus is spread by contact with infected blood. One of the biggest risks comes from using / sharing needles or contaminated equipment for snorting or smoking drugs. Compared to HIV and Hep B, it is much likely to be spread through sexual contact, household contact or by mother to child transmission.

Transfusion-related infection is now rare since the introduction in the 1990s of routine screening of blood for hepatitis C antibodies.

HepatitisC is not spread by sharing eating utensils, food or drinks, or from shaking or holding hands with someone who is infected, but the virus can survive in dried blood on everyday surfaces at room temperature for up to four days. (It can survive longer in a confined environment such as inside a syringe.)

You can lessen your risk of getting the virus by avoiding sharing needles and injecting or snorting drugs, avoiding sharing razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, or other personal care items that may have come into contact with infected blood, and avoiding using tattoo or piercing equipment that's been used on someone else.

HepatitisC is often referred to as the "silent virus". It commonly has no or very few symptoms, both in the acute (first six months) and early chronic stages. The acute stage of infection therefore tends to go unnoticed.

Chronic infection occurs in 70-80pc of adults acutely infected. Some non-specific symptoms of chronic disease may include ongoing flu-like symptoms, joint pains, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, changed bowel habits, mood swings and insomnia. Complications of chronic hepatitis C include cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.

Two tests are used to diagnose hepatitis C. An antibody test is used to determine whether someone has ever been exposed to the virus. Up to 20pc of people clear the virus from their bodies naturally - 'spontaneous clearance'. If an antibody test is positive, a second test will check if the virus is still present. A further PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test determines whether the patient is currently infected by detecting the presence of the genetic material of the virus.

Certain factors can speed up the disease's progression, such as alcohol intake, co-infection with HIV or hepatitis B, superinfection with hepatitis A and older age at infection. A healthy lifestyle and a good diet can have a positive impact on liver health. Recommendations for managing hepatitis C infection include cutting out alcohol, drugs and smoking, having a healthy diet, exercising regularly, avoiding unnecessary medication and getting vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B.

There are six genotypes of the hepatitis C virus and they respond differently to treatment. It is also possible for a person to be infected with more than one genotype. A fibroscan can check for liver scarring within minutes without the need for an invasive and painful liver biopsy. The fibroscan uses ultrasound technology to figure out whether or not a patient has fibrosis, or scarring of the liver, and if they do, how much. In Ireland, patients with a "fibro-score" of 8.5 or more meet the criteria for new treatments available for hepatitis C.

Patients with hepatitis C can be cured. Until recently, treatment was based on therapy with interferon and ribavirin and required weekly injections for 48 weeks. This cured roughly half of treated patients, but caused adverse reactions.

The recent development of multiple direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) by GileadSciences Inc are more effective, safer and better-tolerated than the older therapies, and can cure most patients in about 12 weeks. Relapse or reinfection is still possible, so patients are advised to stay in contact with their doctor. Oral medications depending on genotype are available in different combinations and go by the name Harvoni and Sovaldi. These highly effective medications have been developed by Gilead Sciences.

Disclaimer: Soul of Healing is a Nonprofit based in the US, its subsidiary Sunny Pharma in Bangalore provides generic alternatives for Hep C treatment. For more information you can visit harvonipriceinindia or contact us.

Courtesy: The Independent News and Hep C Info.