Hepatitis C std disease is a liver disease that's very infectious and is commonly caused by the presence of the Hepatitis C virus, or HCV. Often asymptomatic, chronic infection can progress to scarring of the liver (fibrosis) once it is established. Overtime, advanced scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) can occur, thus developing into liver failure or other such complications, including liver cancer, or esophageal and gastric varices.
The Hepatitis C virus is commonly spread via contact with contaminated secretions or bodily fluids such as blood. Upon infection, there are little to no apparent symptoms, however the virus resides and persists in the liver for about 85% of the people who are infected. Medication is required to treat persistent infection. Peginterferon and ribavirin are the most commonly used medications for the treatment of the disease, with a 51% curative rate. For those who are left untreated, and who have developed cirrhosis or liver cancer, a liver transplants is required, however there is a chance that the disease may recur even after transplantation.
It is estimated that 270 to 300 million people worldwide are infected with Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a disease which is exclusive to human beings, and cannot be contracted from or by any other creature. Laboratory experiments have shown that chimpanzees can be infected with the virus in the laboratory, but do not develop the disease naturally, making research for cures difficult. So far, there has been no vaccine developed for the immunization from Hepatitis C. The existence of Hepatitis C was postulated in the 1970s, and was conclusively proven in 1989, where originally, it was referred to as 'non-A non-B hepatitis.
Hepatitis C is a difficult disease to self-diagnose, since most people (some 80% or so) infected with the disease show no symptoms even after years of being infected. Often, it is only when there are imminent signs of liver failure that the disease is detected.
At the onset of the disease, the liver first becomes inflamed or swollen due to the presence of the Hepatitis C virus damaging the liver cells. The liver will then try to repair itself, forming scar tissue as it does so. This is called fibrosis. Other symptoms do not necessarily show at this stage of the infection, however, fatigue, stomach pains, loss of appetite, fever, yellowing skin (jaundice) or dark urine may be a sign of worsening conditions. The immune system of 85% of those who are infected with the Hepatitis C virus cannot cope up with the infection, which, overtime, develops into chronic Hepatitis C.
At this stage, the scarring within the liver worsens, thus impeding the liver's proper functions, going so far as preventing the free flow of blood through the liver. As the condition worsens, more scar tissue is formed within the liver, until it develops cirrhosis, which is a hardening and shrinkage of the liver.
If are suspect for infection, you should definitely undergo an affordable hepatitis testing with the help of your doctor or in a local testing facility. All that is needed is a simple blood test to detect the presence of the virus. The quicker you get treated for the disease, the better your chances of recovery.
Hepatitis C - this condition can be very dangerous if neglected. Learn more about this disease now to help diagnose your condition and begin treatment.
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