Understanding Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a disease that can affect the liver. The disease caused by this virus can lead to infection and inflammation of the liver. According to WHO, the number of people with hepatitis C in the world reach 130-150 million people and cause death in about 350-500 thousand sufferers.
While in Southeast Asia alone, the number of patients who died from complications of cirrhosis and liver cancer due to hepatitis C was recorded at 120,000 annually. Indonesia is one country with the highest rate of hepatitis C cases in Southeast Asia.
Hepatitis C is generally no symptoms in the early stages. Therefore, approximately 75 percent of people with hepatitis C do not realize that he had contracted until liver damage years later.
Although there are symptoms of hepatitis C that appears, indications are similar to other diseases so it is difficult to realize. Some include always feeling tired, sore, and no appetite.
Acute and Chronic Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C can cause acute and chronic infection. Acute Hepatitis C is an infection that occurs in the first six months. The infection is usually asymptomatic and rarely lethal. Approximately 25 percent of patients had recovered from the disease without special handling.
While 75 percent of the rest will keep the virus for a long time. This is called chronic hepatitis C. Patients with chronic hepatitis C have a risk of cirrhosis within 20 years. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that functions inhibited. These complications can be fatal. Approximately 20 percent of patients may develop liver failure and five percent risk of developing liver cancer.
Modes of Transmission of Hepatitis C
Developing hepatitis C virus in the blood. Therefore, we will get hepatitis C in contact with the blood of patients. Mode of transmission of hepatitis C are the most common is through a syringe, for example, drug users who share needles or through the process of making tattoos in places that do not have sterile equipment.
In addition, lend each other personal items such as nail clippers and a toothbrush and free sex also can increase a person's risk of contracting this disease. Hepatitis C virus will not be transmitted through breast milk, food, beverages, or contact such as shaking hands or hugging.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis C
The earlier handled, liver damage in patients with hepatitis C can be inhibited. Therefore, people who are at high risk of contracting this disease are advised to undergo a blood test to diagnose hepatitis C . For example, people who have or are actively using drugs through injections or who have had a blood transfusion.
If tested positive for hepatitis C, you do not necessarily need treatment. Acute hepatitis C can usually recover without special treatment. But patients with chronic hepatitis C require treatment step through antiviral drugs. This drug will stop the progression of the virus and prevent liver damage. Examples of commonly used antiviral interferon and ribavirin.
Experts then managed to find two types of new drugs, boceprevir and telaprevir. The use of these two drugs must be combined with interferon and ribavirin.
Please remember that if ever suffered and recovered from hepatitis C, does not mean your body has fully immune to the virus. Although already recovered, people with hepatitis C should be careful because it remains at risk for re-infection from the same disease.
Hepatitis C Prevention Steps
Hepatitis C can not be prevented by vaccination. But there are some ways that we can take to reduce the risk of transmission, for example, stop or not to use drugs and avoid sharing personal items using potentially contaminated blood like nail clippers and a toothbrush.
Although the disease is rarely transmitted through sexual intercourse, use of safety devices such as condoms during sexual intercourse can still prevent you from hepatitis C. Especially if it comes in contact with blood, such as anal sex or menstrual blood.
Patients with hepatitis C are also more at risk for other types of hepatitis. Doctors generally recommend vaccination to prevent hepatitis A and B. Type Other vaccines are sometimes recommended flu vaccine and pneumococcal infections.
While in Southeast Asia alone, the number of patients who died from complications of cirrhosis and liver cancer due to hepatitis C was recorded at 120,000 annually. Indonesia is one country with the highest rate of hepatitis C cases in Southeast Asia.
Although there are symptoms of hepatitis C that appears, indications are similar to other diseases so it is difficult to realize. Some include always feeling tired, sore, and no appetite.
Acute and Chronic Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C can cause acute and chronic infection. Acute Hepatitis C is an infection that occurs in the first six months. The infection is usually asymptomatic and rarely lethal. Approximately 25 percent of patients had recovered from the disease without special handling.
While 75 percent of the rest will keep the virus for a long time. This is called chronic hepatitis C. Patients with chronic hepatitis C have a risk of cirrhosis within 20 years. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver that functions inhibited. These complications can be fatal. Approximately 20 percent of patients may develop liver failure and five percent risk of developing liver cancer.
Modes of Transmission of Hepatitis C
Developing hepatitis C virus in the blood. Therefore, we will get hepatitis C in contact with the blood of patients. Mode of transmission of hepatitis C are the most common is through a syringe, for example, drug users who share needles or through the process of making tattoos in places that do not have sterile equipment.
In addition, lend each other personal items such as nail clippers and a toothbrush and free sex also can increase a person's risk of contracting this disease. Hepatitis C virus will not be transmitted through breast milk, food, beverages, or contact such as shaking hands or hugging.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Hepatitis C
The earlier handled, liver damage in patients with hepatitis C can be inhibited. Therefore, people who are at high risk of contracting this disease are advised to undergo a blood test to diagnose hepatitis C . For example, people who have or are actively using drugs through injections or who have had a blood transfusion.
If tested positive for hepatitis C, you do not necessarily need treatment. Acute hepatitis C can usually recover without special treatment. But patients with chronic hepatitis C require treatment step through antiviral drugs. This drug will stop the progression of the virus and prevent liver damage. Examples of commonly used antiviral interferon and ribavirin.
Experts then managed to find two types of new drugs, boceprevir and telaprevir. The use of these two drugs must be combined with interferon and ribavirin.
Please remember that if ever suffered and recovered from hepatitis C, does not mean your body has fully immune to the virus. Although already recovered, people with hepatitis C should be careful because it remains at risk for re-infection from the same disease.
Hepatitis C Prevention Steps
Hepatitis C can not be prevented by vaccination. But there are some ways that we can take to reduce the risk of transmission, for example, stop or not to use drugs and avoid sharing personal items using potentially contaminated blood like nail clippers and a toothbrush.
Although the disease is rarely transmitted through sexual intercourse, use of safety devices such as condoms during sexual intercourse can still prevent you from hepatitis C. Especially if it comes in contact with blood, such as anal sex or menstrual blood.
Patients with hepatitis C are also more at risk for other types of hepatitis. Doctors generally recommend vaccination to prevent hepatitis A and B. Type Other vaccines are sometimes recommended flu vaccine and pneumococcal infections.
