Hepatitis C

• Many people that have Hepatitis C do not have any symptoms
• Cirrhosis of the liver has usually developed before symptoms begin to show
• It is a viral disease that leads to the swelling (inflammation) of the liver
• Hepatitis C is one of the most chronic causes of liver diseases in the US today
• Approximately 350,000, or 35% of patients in the USA infected with HIV are also infected with the hepatitis C virus, mainly because both viruses are blood-borne and present in similar populations.

• Long term kidney dialysis
  
• Have a regular contact with blood (for example: health care worker)
• Unprotected sex with someone infected
  
• Sharing needles when using street drugs (most common)
  
• Receive a blood transfusion before 1992
• Receive a tattoo with a contaminated needle
• Share personal items such as toothbrushes and razor

Most people with this chronic liver disease have liver cancer or cirrhosis.

Some symptoms that might occur may range from:

• abdominal pain
• dark urine
• fatigue
• generalized itching
• jaundice
  
• loss of appetite
  
• low-grade fever
• nausea
• vomiting
• clay or clay covered stools
  

• Antiviral medications                                                                                             Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from your body. The doctor may recommend a combination of medications taken over several weeks. Once you complete a course of treatment, your doctor will test your blood for Hepatitis C. If Hepatitis C is still present, your doctor may recommend a second round of treatment
• Liver transplant
  If your liver has been severely damaged, a liver transplant may be an option. During a liver transplant, the surgeon removes your damaged liver and replaces it with a healthy liver. Most transplanted livers come from deceased donors, though a small number come from living donors.
• Vaccinations to protect against other forms of viral hepatitis

• Treatment isn't always necessary
• Treatment is not treated unless its chronic
  
• Approximately 50% of therapy does not work
• The treatment is very difficult on the mind and body. Side effects include flu-like symptoms, headaches, and psychiatric problems.
•  Chronic hepatitis C is most often treated with the drug combination peginterferon and ribavirin, which attacks the hepatitis C virus. Peginterferon is taken through weekly shots and ribavirin is taken daily by mouth. Treatment can last from 24 to 48 weeks.