Is Hepatitis C really that scary? This article will tell you a few things about the prevention and treatment of Hepatitis C

Author: Zhou Quan

Unit: Guangzhou First People's Hospital

Hepatitis C is a global public health problem. Due to its slow course, it can easily induce diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. However, behind this seemingly dark situation, scientific progress and increased public awareness are pointing the way for the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C. Is hepatitis C really that scary? This article will help you understand a few things about hepatitis C prevention and treatment, and help you have a more rational understanding of hepatitis C.

1.What is Hepatitis C?

The full name of hepatitis C in clinical medicine is hepatitis C virus. It is an infectious disease caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus, with lesions in organs and tissues such as the liver, and often presents a hidden infection. The chronicity rate of hepatitis C is between 60% and 80%, which may cause chronic liver inflammation, liver necrosis and liver fibrosis. About 15% to 20% of chronic hepatitis C patients may further develop cirrhosis or liver cancer, which poses a huge threat to their lives and health.

2. Symptoms of Hepatitis C

2.1 Gray complexion, dark yellow urine

If infected with the hepatitis C virus, the patient's complexion will appear gray, and the skin will also have yellowing, itching, rashes, and vasodilation. It will also cause the urine to be dark yellow. This is all due to liver damage and abnormal bilirubin excretion. Therefore, pay attention to changes in urine in a timely manner, and consult a doctor if there are any abnormalities.

2.2 Fatigue and weakness

Patients will be in a state of general fatigue and exhaustion for a long time. No matter how they rest, the fatigue in their body will always exist and it is difficult to reduce. Since this symptom is too common in real life and difficult to be noticed, most people will think that it is because they are too tired from work every day, and it is very easy to miss the best time to treat hepatitis C, which can easily lead to the deterioration of the disease.

2.3 Pain and discomfort in the liver

Hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus can damage the patient's liver organ, causing pain and discomfort in the liver area.

2.4 Gastrointestinal symptoms, etc.

The frequent occurrence of certain digestive tract symptoms also indicates the presence of latent hepatitis C in the patient's body, such as loss of appetite, anorexia, nausea, and significant weight loss over time. The reason is that the liver is not only an important detoxification organ of the body, but also a digestive organ. The liver secretes bile, which is very helpful in promoting food digestion. However, for hepatitis C patients, abnormal liver function will affect daily digestion, thereby causing digestive tract symptoms.

3. Transmission routes of hepatitis C

3.1 Spread through skin wounds and mucous membranes: such as the use of non-disposable syringes and needles, dental instruments that have not been sterilized, endoscopic examinations, acupuncture, etc.; in daily life, sharing razors and toothbrushes with people who carry the hepatitis C virus, as well as tattoos and ear piercings are also ways for the hepatitis C virus to be transmitted through blood; intravenous drug addiction using syringes and unsafe injections are currently the main ways of spreading new infections.

3.2 Mother-to-child transmission: When a pregnant woman is infected with the hepatitis C virus, it can be transmitted from mother to baby in the womb, especially during delivery.

3.3 Sexual contact transmission: People who have sexual contact with people infected with hepatitis C and have multiple sexual partners are at a greater risk of contracting hepatitis C virus. Those who also have other sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV infection, have a significantly increased risk of contracting hepatitis C virus.

3.4 Perform HCV-positive organ transplantation.

3.5 Sneezing, coughing, eating, drinking, sharing tableware and cups, without blood exposure such as broken skin, usually will not spread the hepatitis C virus.

4. Hepatitis C testing methods, treatment and precautions

4.1 Hepatitis C testing

4.1.1 Immunological testing

① Test detection method for hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti-HCV): This is the most basic test, often used for screening. If the test result is positive, further tests such as hepatitis C virus nucleic acid are needed.

②Hepatitis C virus core antigen method: determination using ELISA and CLIA methods.

4.1.2 Nucleic acid testing

Nucleic acid testing mainly uses methods such as branched-chain DNA signal amplification technology. Quantitative detection of HCV RNA can also be used to confirm current HCV infection, analyze baseline viral load before antiviral treatment, and evaluate response after treatment.

4.1.3 Genotyping

The genetic typing of hepatitis C virus can help determine whether treatment is difficult, develop targeted plans for antiviral treatment, predict treatment responses, and optimize the patient's treatment process. It plays an important role in epidemiological research.

4.2 Treatment methods

At present, the latest treatment methods for hepatitis C mainly rely on oral antiviral small molecule drugs, which are favored for their high efficiency, safety, convenience and economy. Antiviral treatment aims to eliminate the hepatitis C virus and achieve cure, eliminate or relieve liver damage related to hepatitis C and block the development of cirrhosis and decompensated cirrhosis, liver failure, i.e. liver cancer, effectively improving the long-term survival rate of patients and improving their quality of life.

4.3 Notes

① Patients should never drink alcohol, because alcohol may promote the progression of cirrhosis, so patients should avoid drinking any alcohol;

② In addition to drugs used to treat hepatitis C, patients should also avoid taking other drugs as much as possible to reduce the burden on the liver;

③ In daily life, you must rest well and try to avoid heavy and overworked physical work;

④ Pay attention to nutrition, but the food should be light and low in oil, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and eat appropriate amounts of soy products;

⑤ Do not share razors, toothbrushes and other daily necessities with others;

⑥ Patients should not go to places with inadequate hygiene and disinfection management for invasive procedures such as eyebrow tattooing, tattooing, and pedicure;

⑦ For women of childbearing age who are planning to have a baby, they should consider pregnancy only after recovery. If hepatitis C is discovered during pregnancy, they can consider continuing the pregnancy, giving birth, and stopping breastfeeding before antiviral treatment for hepatitis C;

⑧ Patients should go to designated hospitals as soon as possible for standard hepatitis C antiviral treatment.

5. Effective prevention measures for hepatitis C

5.1 Do not perform high-risk medical procedures

If necessary, you should go to a regular hospital for treatment, especially those who need hemodialysis and dental treatment that takes a long time. In addition, if necessary, you can go to a regular beauty salon, foot massage shop, or dental clinic for scientific, safe, and correct plastic surgery.

5.2 Do not engage in high-risk sexual behavior

The risk of contracting hepatitis C virus is significantly increased if one has unprotected sex with a hepatitis C patient, is homosexual, or has multiple sexual partners. Therefore, one should keep oneself clean and use safe family planning products appropriately.

5.3 Prevention of mother-to-child transmission

Pregnant women who test positive for hepatitis C virus should try to delay rupture of membranes, shorten delivery time as much as possible, ensure the integrity of their placenta, and avoid amniocentesis as much as possible to reduce the chance of contact between the newborn and maternal blood.

5.4 Regular screening for hepatitis C antibodies

Regular screening for hepatitis C antibodies is very important for timely detection of hepatitis C. When first diagnosed with hepatitis C, most patients are at a loss. However, although there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, there are drugs to treat it. If diagnosed with hepatitis C, you should seek medical attention in time and follow the doctor's advice. In this way, most patients can recover.

6. Conclusion

Hepatitis C, a disease that once made people shudder, has gradually lost its mysterious color under the shining light of science and technology. I believe that after the above introduction, you have a clearer understanding of the prevention and treatment of hepatitis C. Remember, prevention is better than cure. Regular physical examinations, developing good living habits, and avoiding high-risk behaviors are the little secrets to protecting liver health. There is nothing to be afraid of hepatitis C. As long as you realize this and take preventive measures, you can keep it out of your health. Let us act together to build a solid health defense line to prevent hepatitis C.

Disclaimer: The pictures in this article are from the Internet