In case you want to know more about the Virus

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:

• Have been on long-term kidney dialysis
• Have regular contact with blood at work (for instance, as a health care worker)
• Have unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C (this is much less common, but the risk is higher for those who have many sex partners, already have a sexually transmitted disease, or are infected with HIV)
• Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
• Received a blood transfusion before July 1992
• Received a tattoo or acupuncture with contaminated instruments (the risk is very low with licensed, commercial tattoo facilities)
• Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
• Share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors with someone who has hepatitis C (less common)
• Were born to a hepatitis C-infected mother (this occurs in about 1 out of 20 babies born to mothers with HCV, which is much less common than with hepatitis B)

Hepatitis C has an acute and chronic form. Most people who are infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C.
About 1.5% of the U.S. population is infected with HCV.

Symptoms

Most people who were recently infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. About 10% have jaundice that gets better.
Of people who get infected with HCV, most develop chronic HCV infection. Usually there are no symptoms.
If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred, a condition called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.
The following symptoms could occur with hepatitis C infection:

• Abdominal pain (right upper abdomen)
• Abdominal swelling (due to fluid calledascites)
• Bleeding from the esophagus or stomach (due to dilated veins in the esophagus or stomach called varices
• Dark urine
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Itching
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Vomiting

Signs and tests

The following tests are done to help diagnose hepatitis C:

• EIA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody
• Hepatitis C RNA assays to measure virus levels (viral load)
• Hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes exist. Most Americans have genotype 1 infection, which is the hardest to treat.

The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis C:

• Albumin level
• Liver function tests
• Prothrombin time

Liver biopsy can show how much damage has been done to the liver.

Treatment

The goals of HCV treatment are to remove the virus from the blood and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer that can result from long-term HCV infection.
Many patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with medications. The most common medications are a combination of pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin, an antiviral medication.

• Most patients receive weekly injections of pegylated interferon alfa.
• Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily. Ribavirin can cause birth defects. Women should avoid getting pregnant during, and for 6 months after treatment.
• Treatment is given for 24 - 48 weeks.

These medications have a number of side effects, and patients must be watched closely. Symptoms include:

• Anemia
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Flu-like symptoms
• Headache
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Low white blood cell counts and platelets
• Nausea
• Thinning of hair
• Vomiting

Don't forget that you have a chance to slay the Dragon ; so get over the Part " There is no cure " As long as you have faith ; anything is possible ! Never ever give up !