What is Hepatitis C?
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Simply, Hepatitis (HEP-ah-TY-tis) is a liver disease makes your liver swell and stops it from working right. It is a blood-born infectious disease that is caused by the hepatitis C (HCV), affecting the liver. HCV is a small (50 nm in size), enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus. It is the only known member of the hepacivirus genus in the family Flaviviridae. There are six major genotypes of the hepatitis C virus, which are indicated numerically (e.g., genotype 1, genotype 2, etc..). |
Once Hepatitis C entered the liver, it replicates and orders the infected tissues to produce new copies of the virus to infect the other healthy tissues inside the liver till damage all the liver. The infection is often asymptomatic (showing no symptoms), its symptoms may appear after a long period of infection (10-15 years), so the patient may not detect that he/she has hepatitis C for long period of infection or may be lucky and detect it by chance when analyze his/her blood sample for some other reasons.
Your viral load is the amount of specific viruses that you have, in a given volume of your blood (usually 1 milliliter = 1 cubic centimeter). More precisely, it means that the amount of Hep C genetic material found in your blood corresponds to as many Hep C viruses as the given number says. Therefore the given number denotes "viral equivalents."
Symptoms
There is no cure for hepatitis C, but medications in some cases can suppress the virus for a long period of time.
Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with interferon alpha or a combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin. Interferon alpha is given by injection just under the skin and has a number of side effects, including:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Low white blood cell counts
- Nausea
- Thinning of hair
- Vomiting
Treatment with interferon alpha may also affect the production of white blood cells and platelets. Most patients receive weekly injections with a form called pegylated interferon alpha. Interferon is given along with antiviral medication, most commonly ribavirin.
Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily. The major side effect is low red blood cells (anemia). Ribavirin also causes birth defects. Women should avoid getting pregnant during, and for 6 months following, treatment.
A "sustained response" means that the patient remains free of hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping treatment. This does not mean that the patient is cured, but that the levels of active hepatitis C virus in the body are very low and are probably not causing more or as much damage.
Rest may be recommended during the acute phase of the disease when the symptoms are most severe.
All patients with hepatitis C should get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
People with hepatitis C should also be careful not to take vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter medications without first discussing it with their health care provider.
People with hepatitis C should avoid any substances that are toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic), including alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol speed up the progression of hepatitis C, and alcohol reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
Treatment
There is no cure for hepatitis C, but medications in some cases can suppress the virus for a long period of time.
Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with interferon alpha or a combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin. Interferon alpha is given by injection just under the skin and has a number of side effects, including:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Flu-like symptoms
- Headache
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Low white blood cell counts
- Nausea
- Thinning of hair
- Vomiting
Treatment with interferon alpha may also affect the production of white blood cells and platelets. Most patients receive weekly injections with a form called pegylated interferon alpha. Interferon is given along with antiviral medication, most commonly ribavirin.
Ribavirin is a capsule taken twice daily. The major side effect is low red blood cells (anemia). Ribavirin also causes birth defects. Women should avoid getting pregnant during, and for 6 months following, treatment.
A "sustained response" means that the patient remains free of hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping treatment. This does not mean that the patient is cured, but that the levels of active hepatitis C virus in the body are very low and are probably not causing more or as much damage.
Rest may be recommended during the acute phase of the disease when the symptoms are most severe.
All patients with hepatitis C should get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
People with hepatitis C should also be careful not to take vitamins, nutritional supplements, or new over-the-counter medications without first discussing it with their health care provider.
People with hepatitis C should avoid any substances that are toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic), including alcohol. Even moderate amounts of alcohol speed up the progression of hepatitis C, and alcohol reduces the effectiveness of treatment.
Causes
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
- Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
- Received a blood transfusion before July 1992
- 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
- Were born to a hepatitis C-infected mother
Other hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Each viral hepatitis infection is caused by a different virus.
Tests & Diagnosis
Hepatitis C is often found during blood tests for a routine physical or other medical procedure.
- Elevated liver enzymes
- ELISA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody
- Hepatitis C PCR test
- Hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes exist. Most Americans have genotype 1 infection, which is the most difficult to treat.
- Hepatitis virus serology
- Liver biopsy
Prognosis
Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States today. People with this condition may have:
- Chronic liver infection
- Cirrhosis
- Need for a liver transplant
Helpful Links
Hepatitis Disease Information
Hepatitis Medication Information
HepatitisRxAssist Program
The experts at BioPlus HepatitisRxAssist Program are here to help you understand your disease and your treatment options.
The challenges of your disease and the Biologic medicines used to treat them can be difficult to face. You are not alone. Once you contact us, numerous specialty teams begin acting on your behalf. From working with your prescriber, dealing with your insurance, getting authorizations, seeking the best financial option including financial assistance, home delivery, assistance with side effects and more.
Nurse teaching is also available thru the HepatitisRxAssist Program. Contact a specialist now to learn more about having a nurse come to your home and help you with your injections.
For a quarter of a century, BioPlus has been specializing in chronic diseases. As the pioneers of specialized biologic medicine services you have the best chance of a successful treatment outcome if you trust BioPlus and the HepatitisRxAssist Program.