BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

 

  HOT TOPICS

 

 

The Facts on Hepatitis C

 

What is Hepatitis C?   Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus(HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease.  First called non-A or non-B hepatitis, the hepatitis C virus was identified and described in 1989.  A test for specific antibodies to the virus became available in 1990. 

Each year 36,000 Americans contract hepatitis C.  Most of these people will carry the virus for the rest of their lives.   Approximately 80% of the cases of acute HCV become chronic. Many of these cases develop cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and some also develop cancer of the liver, which may take years to develop.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HCV is the most frequent indication for a liver transplant Image of the loacation of the liver in the human body.and is the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the United States.

 

Who is at Risk For Hepatitis C?  

HCV is primarily transmitted through the blood.  HCV may also spread through sexual contact.  An infected woman can give HCV to her baby at birth.

 

Risk Groups

*   Recipients of transfusions or organ transplants before July 1992

*   Recipients of clotting factors made before 1987

*   Injected drug users     

*   Hemodialysis patients

*   Healthcare, emergency, medical and public safety workers         

·  Persons with multiple sex partners or multiple STD’s

*   Infants born to infected women

 

Text Box: What is Cirrhosis of the Liver? The liver weighs about 3 pounds and is the largest organ inside the body. It is located in the upper-right side of the abdomen, below the ribs. When chronic diseases cause the liver to become permanently injured and scarred, the condition is called cirrhosis. The scar tissue that forms in cirrhosis harms the structure of the liver, blocking the flow of blood through the organ. The loss of normal liver tissue slows the processing of nutrients, hormones, drugs, and toxins by the liver. Also slowed is production of proteins, sugars and other substances made by the liver. Having a tattoo or body piercing done with unsterilized equipment or having sex with an infected person may

also place you at risk.  HCV is the most common

chronic blood borne infection in the United States. 

All people with HCV are potentially infectious.

As many as 3.5 million Americans are believed to be carriers, which means that they have the virus in their system and even if they do not have symptoms, they

can infect others.  As high as 40% of cases cannot be traced to an identified source.  HCV is not spread by: breastfeeding, sneezing, hugging, coughing, sharing drinking glasses, food or water or casual contact.

 

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C?   Most people who are infected with HCV do not have symptoms.  If symptoms are present they may be very mild and flu-like:  nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, headache and abdominal pain.  As the disease progresses symptoms may be severe fatigue, jaundice

(a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), abdominal swelling , stomach pain, and loss of appetite. 

HCV can remain dormant for many years (15-20 years) before symptoms start to appear.

 

When do symptoms appear?   The incubation period is anywhere from 2 to 26 weeks.  The chronic state of the disease can gradually progress over a 10-40 year period.  There is ongoing liver damage and about 20% of the patients develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver).  Liver failure and death may occur in 25% of these patients though it may take many years.  Patients with chronic hepatitis C have an increased risk for liver cancer.

 

 How is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?   A simple specific blood test (Anti-HCV) that detects the presence of antibody against HCV can diagnose HCV but does not distinguish between an acute or chronic infection.  An HCV RNA (viral load) blood test can detect virus early in the infection.  Serum ALT (liver enzymes) elevation will detect disease within 15-150 days after exposure.  A liver biopsy may be done to determine the progression of the disease. 

 

What is The Treatment?   Interferon (Alpha 2b) in combination with ribavirin (an antiviral drug) is the treatment of choice for those patients who meet the criteria.  People with HCV should not use any type of alcohol due to the liver damage.  There is a need to maintain a healthy lifestyle with a well balanced diet and exercise program.  Learn to pace yourself and rest when tired. 

 

How Can Hepatitis C be Prevented?   Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.  Also there is no effective immune globulin preparation.  Care should be taken when handling any item that may have blood on it.  If you are a health care worker, always follow universal precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps.  People with multiple sex partners should practice safer sex (use condoms).  Notify your physician and dentist that you have HCV.

 

Adults who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) need to make sure they're fully vaccinated.  Seventy percent of people who are infected with HCV have chronic liver disease.  People with chronic liver disease have special vaccination needs, which include vaccines to protect against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and pneumococcal infection.

 

Check with your doctor to see if you should get the following immunizations:

 

Immunization Action CoalitionHepatitis A*

Hepatitis B*

Pneumococcal

Influenza

Tetanus,diphtheria

Measles, mumps, rubella

Varicella for those who have never have chickenpox

 

 

 

 

 

In 1997, the NIH Consensus Development Conference recommended that hepatitis A and B vaccines be given to all persons who are infected with hepatitis C virus. To obtain a copy of the NIH Consensus Statement, "Management of Hepatitis C," call (888) 644-2667.       

 

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