Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C
This is a serious viral infection characterized by liver inflammation which could lead to liver damage. Hepatitis C is transmitted through contaminated blood.
Symptoms
Persistent and long term infection is termed as chronic hepatitis C. Signs and symptoms include:
- Easy bruising
- Easy bleeding
- Weakness and fatigue
- Decrease appetite
- Dark urine
- Jaundice
- Skin become itchy
- Ascites
- Loss of weight
- Hepatic encephalopathy characterized by confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech
- Spider angiomas
Causes
This infection is caused by hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C infection spreads through contaminated blood which lead to the entrance of virus into the bloodstream of uninfected person.
Complications
Chronic hepatitis C infection have following complications:
- Cirrhosis
- Failure of liver
- Liver carcinoma
Diagnosis
Typically people who are susceptible of having hepatitis C infection, go through a screening test for virus. These people include: person who ever injected or inhaled illicit drugs, babies born to mothers with hepatitis C, person with abnormal liver function test. After screening test for liver damage is done. These tests include:
- Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE).
- Transient elastography
- Liver biopsy
- Blood tests
Treatment
Treatment options include:
- Medications are prescribed which include antiviral medications.
- Liver transplantation
- Vaccinations
Lifestyle and home remedies:
- Be active and exercise regularly
- Limit smoking
- Quit alcohol consumption
- Eat healthy and organic foods
- Restrict the use of medications that causes potential liver damage