Информация о гепатите С, лечение, препараты, и другое

Грипп и простуда при гепатите С

Пациенты с гепатитом С тоже подвержены простуде, причем в большей степени, чем здоровые люди. Важно как лечить простуду при гепатите С чтобы вылечиться, избежать осложнений, и не нанести дополнительного вреда больной печени.

Отличие гепатита С и гепатита В

Оба вирусных гепатита, В и С, распространены в России и во всем мире. У некоторых пациентов они сочетаются. Чем отличается гепатит В от гепатита С? Разница есть в особенностях развития и лечении обоих заболеваний.

Как принимать Софосбувир

Вирусный гепатит С – единственное показание для Софосбувира. После курса лечения большинство пациентов с этим трудноизлечимым заболеванием выздоравливают

Чем опасен гепатит С?

Без лечения гепатит С прогрессирует, состояние ухудшается, развиваются осложнения. Чем опасен гепатит С? И как можно избежать осложнений этого заболевания?

Фиброз печени при гепатите С

При гепатите С изменяется структура печени. С течением времени в печеночной ткани развивается фиброз.

Анализа на гепатит С: какие нужны?

В зависимости от того, когда и какие анализы сдают на гепатит С, можно судить о наличии и давности заболевания, его активности, и эффективности лечения. Не только медикаментозное лечение, но и качественная лабораторная диагностика влияет на исход гепатита.

Как передается гепатит С?

Пациент с вирусным гепатитом С эпидемически опасен. Ведь он может заражать окружающих. Зная о том, что за болезнь гепатит С, как передается, можно обезопасить себя и окружающих.

ВИЧ и гепатит С одновременно

В клинической практике нередко наблюдается сочетание двух вирусных инфекций, ВИЧ и гепатита С, у одного и того же пациента. Такой сочетанный вариант называют коинфекцией. Оба заболевания наслаиваются друг на друга. Поэтому у пациентов с коинфекцией ВИЧ и гепатита С симптоматика, диагностика, и лечение этих заболеваний имеют свои особенности.

Лечение гепатита С в пожилом возрасте

Пик заболеваемости гепатитом С приходится на 30-45 лет. Но и люди других возрастных категорий не застрахованы от гепатита. У пожилых пациентов гепатит С имеет  свои особенности.

Где можно сделать фиброскан (фиброэластометрию) печени

Фиброэластометрия печени – один из методов диагностики вирусного гепатита С. Проводят ее с помощью аппарата Фиброскан.

Софосбувир и Даклатасвир

Лицензионные дженерики препарата Совальди, содержащего софосбувир.

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Софосбувир и Велпатасвир

Лицензионные дженерики препарата Epcluza, содержащего софосбувир и велпатасвир.

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Софосбувир и Ледипасвир

Лицензионные дженерики препарата Harvoni — в составе софосбувир и ледипасвир.

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Как принимать Софосбувир с Рибавирином

Рибавирин – препарат, который и ранее применялся при лечении болезни, в сочетании с инъекциями Интерферона.

Velpanat или Velasof — что лучше?

Огромное количество дженериков заставляет потребителей задуматься над тем, что выбрать: Веласоф или Велпанат? Важно детально изучить составы и производителей представленных веществ.

Какой генотип гепатита С лучше всех поддается лечению

Генотип – совокупность генов, закодированных в нуклеиновой кислоте. Возбудитель гепатита С, одноименный вирус (HCV, hepatitis C virus), имеет разные генотипы. И от того, какой генотип гепатита С лучше поддается лечению, будет зависеть исход заболевания, и вероятность осложнений.

Сравнение препаратов от гепатита С из Китая и Индии

Выбирая лекарственную продукцию для лечения от вируса гепатит С, потребуется обратить внимание на два основных критерия – это производитель и поставщик. Важно, чтобы и первая и вторая компании имели незапятнанную репутацию и сертификаты качества предложенной продукции

Сравнение препаратов от гепатита С из Египта и Индии

Лечение гепатита С препараты из Египта пользуются особым спросом по всему миру, как и индийские дженерики. Чтобы разобраться с ответом на вопрос, какая продукция лучше и эффективнее, необходимо ознакомиться с проведенными исследованиями.

Эффективное лечение гепатита С дженериками в 2020 году

В упрощенном понимании дженерик – это лекарственная копия. Фармацевтическая фирма-разработчик выпускает и распространяет на потребительском рынке лекарственное средство. Являясь интеллектуальной и материальной собственностью разработчика, препарат защищен от копирования другими производителями патентом и оригинальным названием.

Как лечить печень при гепатите С?

В чем состоит лечение печени при гепатите С? Этот вопрос интересует тысячи жителей России, которым поставлен такой диагноз. По данным ВОЗ, каждый год вирусом гепатита С (ВГС) на планете заражаются до 4 миллионов человек, а более 340 тысяч умирают от заболевания и его последствий.

Как долго лечиться от гепатита С?

Вопрос, как долго лечится гепатит С, интересует как больного человека, так и его близких. Прежде чем дать ответ на него, следует разобраться, от каких факторов зависит длительность лечения.

Гепатит С у мужчин

Первые признаки гепатита с у мужчин могут быть практически незаметны. Болезнь нередко протекает бессимптомно, поэтому анализ на гепатиты рекомендуют сдавать каждый год при профилактическом осмотре.

Беременность и гепатит С

Момент, в который женщина узнает о своей беременности, является одним из самых счастливых в жизни. Можно с уверенностью утверждать, что будущая мать желает только здоровья и силы своему ребёнку. Поэтому, много девушек, еще до наступления беременности, проходят многочисленные медицинские скрининги.

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Подробнее 90000 Hepatitis C — Treatment — NHS 90001 90002 90003 Hepatitis C can often be treated successfully by taking medicines for several weeks. 90004 90005 90002 If the infection is diagnosed in the early stages, known as acute hepatitis, treatment may not need to begin straight away. 90005 90002 Instead, you may have another blood test after a few months to see if your body fights off the virus. 90005 90002 If the infection continues for several months, known as chronic hepatitis, treatment will usually be recommended.90005 90012 Your treatment plan 90013 90002 Treatment for chronic hepatitis C (those infected for 6 months or more) involves: 90005 90016 90017 tablets to fight the virus 90018 90017 a test to see if your liver is damaged 90018 90017 lifestyle changes to prevent further damage 90018 90023 90002 There are 6 main strains of the virus. In the UK, the most common strains are genotype 1 and genotype 3. You can be infected with more than 1 strain.90005 90002 You’ll be offered the medicine most appropriate for your type of hepatitis C. 90005 90002 During treatment, you should have blood tests to check that your medicine is working. 90005 90002 If it’s not, you may be advised to try another medicine. This will only affect a small number of people. 90005 90002 Your doctor will also assess your liver for damage (scarring), either with a blood test or a scan called a fibroscan. 90005 90002 At the end of your treatment, you’ll have a blood test to see if the virus has been cleared and a second blood test 12 or 24 weeks after treatment has stopped.90005 90002 If both tests show no sign of the virus, this means treatment has been successful. 90005 90012 Hepatitis C medicines 90013 90002 Hepatitis C is treated using direct acting antiviral (DAA) tablets. 90005 90002 DAA tablets are the safest and most effective medicines for treating hepatitis C. 90005 90002 They’re highly effective at clearing the infection in more than 90% of people. 90005 90002 The tablets are taken for 8 to 12 weeks.The length of treatment will depend on which type of hepatitis C you have. 90005 90002 Some types of hepatitis C can be treated using more than 1 type of DAA. 90005 90002 NHS-approved hepatitis C medicines: 90005 90016 90017 simeprevir 90018 90017 sofosbuvir 90018 90017 a combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir 90018 90017 a combination of ombitasvir, paritaprevir and ritonavir, taken with or without dasabuvir 90018 90017 a combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir 90018 90017 a combination of sofosbuvir, velpatasvir and voxilaprevir 90018 90017 a combination of glecaprevir and pibrentasvir 90018 90017 ribavarin 90018 90023 90002 For more information, see the NICE guidelines on: 90005 90012 Side effects of treatment 90013 90002 Treatments with direct acting antivirals (DAAs) have very few side effects.Most people find DAA tablets very easy to take. 90005 90002 You may feel a little sick and have trouble sleeping to begin with, but this should soon settle down. 90005 90002 Your nurse or doctor should be able to suggest things to help ease any discomfort. 90005 90002 You need to complete the full course of treatment to ensure you clear the hepatitis C virus from your body. 90005 90002 If you have any problems with your medicines, speak to your doctor or nurse straight away. 90005 90002 Side effects for each type of treatment can vary from person to person.90005 90002 For a very small number of people, more severe side effects from hepatitis C treatments may include: 90005 90012 How effective is treatment? 90013 90002 Direct acting antivirals (DAAs) cure 9 out of 10 patients with hepatitis C. 90005 90002 Successful treatment does not give you any protection against another hepatitis C infection. You can still catch it again. 90005 90002 There’s no vaccine for hepatitis C.90005 90002 If treatment does not work, it may be repeated, extended, or a different combination of medicines may be tried. 90005 90002 Your doctor or nurse will be able to advise you. 90005 90012 Things you can do during treatment for hepatitis C 90013 90002 There are some things you can do to help limit any damage to your liver and prevent the infection spreading to others.90005 90002 These can include: 90005 90016 90017 eating a healthy, balanced diet 90018 90017 exercising regularly 90018 90017 cutting out alcohol or limiting how much you drink 90018 90017 stopping smoking 90018 90017 keeping personal items, such as toothbrushes or razors, for your own use 90018 90017 not sharing any needles or syringes with others 90018 90023 90012 Pregnancy and hepatitis C 90013 90002 The new hepatitis C medicines have not been tested in pregnancy.90005 90002 You should not become pregnant while taking treatment as it could be harmful to unborn babies. 90005 90002 If you’re pregnant, you must delay treatment until after your baby is born. 90005 90002 Speak to your doctor before starting hepatitis C treatment if you’re planning to become pregnant in the near future. 90005 90002 You’ll need to wait several weeks after treatment has ended before trying to get pregnant. 90005 90002 Women taking ribavirin should use contraception during treatment and for another 4 months after the end of treatment.90005 90002 Men taking ribavirin should use a condom during treatment and for another 7 months after the end of treatment. This is because semen can contain ribavirin. 90005 90002 If you become pregnant during treatment, speak to your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options. 90005 90012 Deciding against treatment 90013 90002 Some people with chronic hepatitis C decide against treatment. 90005 90002 This may be because they: 90005 90016 90017 do not have any symptoms 90018 90017 are willing to live with the risk of cirrhosis at a later date 90018 90017 do not feel the potential benefits of treatment outweigh the side effects some can cause 90018 90023 90002 Your care team can give you advice about this, but the final decision about treatment will be yours.90005 90002 If you decide not to have treatment but then change your mind, you can ask to be treated at any point. 90005 90002 Page last reviewed: 21 June 2018 90157 Next review due: 21 June 2021 90005 .90000 Hepatitis C — Diagnosis and treatment 90001 90002 Diagnosis 90003 90004 Screening for hepatitis C 90005 90006 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults ages 18 to 79 years be screened for hepatitis C, even those without symptoms or known liver disease. Screening for 90007 HCV 90008 is especially important if you’re at high risk of exposure, including: 90009 90010 90011 Anyone who has ever injected or inhaled illicit drugs 90012 90011 Anyone who has abnormal liver function test results with no identified cause 90012 90011 Babies born to mothers with hepatitis C 90012 90011 Health care and emergency workers who have been exposed to blood or accidental needle sticks 90012 90011 People with hemophilia who were treated with clotting factors before 1987 90012 90011 People who have undergone long-term hemodialysis treatments 90012 90011 People who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before тисячі дев’ятсот дев’яносто два 90012 90011 Sexual partners of anyone diagnosed with hepatitis C infection 90012 90011 People with HIV infection 90012 90011 Anyone born from тисяча дев’ятсот сорок п’ять to тисячі дев’ятсот шістьдесят п’ять 90012 90011 Anyone who has been in prison 90012 90033 90004 Other blood tests 90005 90006 If an initial blood test shows that you have hepatitis C, additional blood tests will: 90009 90010 90011 Measure the quantity of the hepatitis C virus in your blood (viral load) 90012 90011 Identify the genotype of the virus 90012 90033 90004 Tests for liver damage 90005 90006 Doctors typically use one or more of the following tests to assess liver damage in chronic hepatitis C.90009 90010 90011 90050 Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). 90051 A noninvasive alternative to a liver biopsy (see below), 90052 MRE 90008 combines magnetic resonance imaging technology with patterns formed by sound waves bouncing off the liver to create a visual map showing gradients of stiffness throughout the liver. Stiff liver tissue indicates the presence of scarring of the liver (fibrosis) as a result of chronic hepatitis C. 90012 90011 90050 Transient elastography. 90051 Another noninvasive test, transient elastography is a type of ultrasound that transmits vibrations into the liver and measures the speed of their dispersal through liver tissue to estimate its stiffness.90012 90011 90050 Liver biopsy. 90051 Typically done using ultrasound guidance, this test involves inserting a thin needle through the abdominal wall to remove a small sample of liver tissue for laboratory testing. 90012 90011 90050 Blood tests. 90051 A series of blood tests can indicate the extent of fibrosis in your liver. 90012 90033 Transient elastography 90006 A member of the care team performs transient elastography — a painless alternative to liver biopsy — to assess liver damage.90009 90002 Treatment 90003 90004 Antiviral medications 90005 90006 Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral medications intended to clear the virus from your body. The goal of treatment is to have no hepatitis C virus detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you complete treatment. 90009 90006 Researchers have recently made significant advances in treatment for hepatitis C using new, «direct-acting» antiviral medications, sometimes in combination with existing ones.As a result, people experience better outcomes, fewer side effects and shorter treatment times — some as short as eight weeks. The choice of medications and length of treatment depend on the hepatitis C genotype, presence of existing liver damage, other medical conditions and prior treatments. 90009 90006 Due to the pace of research, recommendations for medications and treatment regimens are changing rapidly. It is therefore best to discuss your treatment options with a specialist. 90009 90006 Throughout treatment your care team will monitor your response to medications.90009 90004 Liver transplantation 90005 90006 If you have developed serious complications from chronic hepatitis C infection, liver transplantation may be an option. During liver transplantation, 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 who donate a portion of their livers. 90009 90006 In most cases, a liver transplant alone does not cure hepatitis C.The infection is likely to return, requiring treatment with antiviral medication to prevent damage to the transplanted liver. Several studies have demonstrated that new, direct-acting antiviral medication regimens are effective at curing post-transplant hepatitis C. At the same time, treatment with direct-acting antivirals can be achieved in appropriately selected patients before liver transplantation. 90009 90004 Vaccinations 90005 90006 Although there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, your doctor will likely recommend that you receive vaccines against the hepatitis A and B viruses.These are separate viruses that also can cause liver damage and complicate the course of chronic hepatitis C. 90009 90004 More Information 90005 Show more related information 90002 Clinical trials 90003 90006 Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease. 90009 90002 Lifestyle and home remedies 90003 90006 If you receive a diagnosis of hepatitis C, your doctor will likely recommend certain lifestyle changes.These measures will help keep you healthy longer and protect the health of others as well: 90009 90010 90011 90050 Stop drinking alcohol. 90051 Alcohol speeds the progression of liver disease. 90012 90011 90050 Avoid medications that may cause liver damage. 90051 Review your medications with your doctor, including over-the-counter medications you take as well as herbal preparations and dietary supplements. Your doctor may recommend avoiding certain medications. 90012 90011 90050 Help prevent others from coming in contact with your blood.90051 Cover any wounds you have and do not share razors or toothbrushes. Do not donate blood, body organs or semen, and advise health care workers that you have the virus. Also tell your partner about your infection before you have sex, and always use condoms during intercourse. 90012 90033 90002 Preparing for your appointment 90003 90006 If you think you may have a risk of hepatitis C, see your family doctor. Once you’ve been diagnosed with a hepatitis C infection, your doctor may refer you to a specialist in liver diseases (hepatologist) or infectious diseases.90009 90004 What you can do 90005 90006 Because appointments can be brief and because there’s often a lot to discuss, it’s a good idea to be well prepared. To prepare, try to: 90009 90010 90011 90050 Review your medical record. 90051 This is particularly important if you are seeing a liver specialist (hepatologist) for the first time after finding out you have hepatitis C. If you had a liver biopsy to check for damage from chronic infection and a blood test to determine which hepatitis C genotype you have, make sure you know the results so you can share them with your specialty care team.90012 90011 90050 Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. 90051 At the time you make the appointment, be sure to ask if there’s anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet. 90012 90011 90050 Write down any symptoms you’re experiencing, 90051 including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. 90012 90011 90050 Make a list of all medications, 90051 vitamins or supplements you’re taking. 90012 90011 90050 Consider taking a family member or friend.90051 Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. 90012 90033 90006 To make the most of your time with your doctor, take along a list of questions you want to ask. Put your most important questions at the top of your list, in case time runs out. For a hepatitis C infection, some basic questions to ask your doctor include: 90009 90010 90011 Should I be tested for other causes of liver disease, such as hepatitis B? 90012 90011 Has the hepatitis C virus damaged my liver? 90012 90011 Do I need treatment for a hepatitis C infection? 90012 90011 What are my treatment options? 90012 90011 What are the benefits of each treatment option? 90012 90011 What are the potential risks of each treatment option? 90012 90011 Is there one treatment you think is best for me? 90012 90011 I have other medical conditions.How will these affect my hepatitis C treatment? 90012 90011 Should my family be tested for hepatitis C? 90012 90011 Is it possible for me to spread the hepatitis C virus to others? 90012 90011 How can I protect the people around me from hepatitis C? 90012 90011 Should I see a specialist? Will my insurance cover it? 90012 90011 Are there brochures or other material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend? 90012 90011 What will determine whether I should plan for a follow-up visit? 90012 90011 Is it safe for me to drink alcohol? 90012 90011 What medications should I avoid? 90012 90033 90006 Do not hesitate to ask any other questions that occur to you during your appointment.90009 90004 What to expect from your doctor 90005 90006 Your doctor is likely to ask you some of the following questions. If you’ve thought about your answers beforehand, this part of the visit may go more quickly than usual, leaving you more time to address your concerns. 90009 90010 90011 Have you ever had a blood transfusion or an organ transplant? If so, when? 90012 90011 Have you ever used self-injected drugs not prescribed by your doctor? 90012 90011 Have you ever been diagnosed with hepatitis or jaundice? 90012 90011 Does anyone in your family have hepatitis C? 90012 90011 Is there a history of liver disease in your family? 90012 90033 90002 Share your experience 90003 90006 Share your Mayo Clinic transplant experience with others using social media.90009 .90000 5 Things to Know About the Cost of Hepatitis C Treatment 90001 90002 Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Its effects can range from mild to serious. Without treatment, chronic hepatitis C can lead to severe liver scarring, and possibly to liver failure or cancer. 90003 90002 About 3 million people in the United States live with chronic hepatitis C. Most of them do not feel ill or know that they’ve contracted the disease. 90003 90002 Years ago, people with hepatitis C essentially had two treatment options: pegylated interferon and ribavirin.These treatments did not cure the disease in everyone who took them, and they came with a long list of side effects. Plus, they were only available as injections. 90003 90002 New antiviral drugs are now available in pills. They work quickly, and they’re much more effective than older treatments. These drugs cure more than 90 percent of people who take them in just 8 to 12 weeks, with fewer side effects than older drugs. 90003 90002 The one downside to new hepatitis C treatments is they come with a steep price tag.Read on to learn about the high costs of hepatitis C drugs, and how to cover them. 90003 90012 1. You have more treatment options than ever before 90013 90002 More than a dozen treatments are available to treat hepatitis C. Older drugs still used include: 90003 90016 90017 peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) 90018 90017 peginterferon alfa-2b (PEG -Intron) 90018 90017 ribavirin (Copegus, Rebetol, Ribasphere) 90018 90023 90002 New antiviral drugs include: 90003 90016 90017 daclatasvir (Daklinza) 90018 90017 elbasvir / grazoprevir (Zepatier) 90018 90017 glecaprevir / pibrentasvir (Mavyret) 90018 90017 ledipasvir / sofosbuvir ( Harvoni) 90018 90017 ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir (Technivie) 90018 90017 ombitasvir / paritaprevir / ritonavir and dasabuvir (Viekira Pak) 90018 90017 simeprevir (Olysio) 90018 90017 sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) 90018 90017 sofosbuvir / velpatasvir (Epclusa) 90018 90017 sofosbuvir / velpatasvir / voxilaprevir (Vosevi) 90018 90023 90002 Which of these drugs or combinations of drugs your doctor prescribes depends on: 90003 90016 90017 your virus gen otype 90018 90017 the extent of your liver damage 90018 90017 which other treatments you’ve had in the past 90018 90017 what other medical conditions you have 90018 90023 90012 2.Hepatitis C drugs are pricey 90013 90002 Antiviral drugs for hepatitis C are very effective, but they come at a steep cost. Just one Sovaldi pill costs $ 1,000. A full 12-week course of treatment with this drug costs $ 84,000. 90003 90002 The price of other hepatitis C drugs is also high: 90003 90016 90017 Harvoni costs $ 94,500 for a 12-week treatment 90018 90017 Mavyret costs $ 39,600 for a 12-week treatment 90018 90017 Zepatier costs $ 54,600 for a 12-week treatment 90018 90017 Technivie costs $ 76,653 for a 12-week treatment 90018 90023 90002 Hepatitis C drugs are expensive due to the large demand for them, and the high cost of bringing them to market.Developing a new drug, testing it in clinical trials, and marketing it can run pharmaceutical companies nearly $ 900 million. 90003 90002 Another factor adding to the high cost is the lack of a national health care system to negotiate medication costs on behalf of consumers. There’s also little competition from other drug companies. As a result, hepatitis C drug manufacturers can essentially charge whatever they want. 90003 90002 Prices could drop in the future as more pharmaceutical companies get into the hepatitis C drug market.The introduction of generic versions of these drugs should help drive costs down. 90003 90012 3. You may not need treatment 90013 90002 Not everyone with hepatitis C will need to receive these expensive treatments. In up to 25 percent of people with hepatitis C, the virus clears on its own within a few months without any need for medication. Your doctor will monitor you closely to see if your condition persists, and then decide if you need treatment. 90003 90012 4. Your insurance company could say no 90013 90002 Some insurance companies try to combat the high cost of hepatitis C drugs by rejecting coverage for them.More than one-third of people were denied coverage for these drugs by their insurance company, according to a 2018 study in Open Forum Infectious Diseases. Private insurance companies rejected more claims for these drugs — over 52 percent — than Medicare or Medicaid. 90003 90002 Medicare and Medicaid are more likely to approve hepatitis C drug coverage. But with Medicaid, you might have to meet certain requirements to receive these drugs, such as: 90003 90016 90017 getting a referral from a specialist 90018 90017 having signs of liver scarring 90018 90017 showing proof that you have stopped using alcohol or illicit drugs, if this is a problem 90018 90023 90012 5.Help is available 90013 90002 If you do not have health insurance, your insurance company refuses to pay for your hepatitis C drugs, or your out-of-pocket costs are too high for you to pay, assistance is available from the following companies and organizations: 90003 90002 Some pharmaceutical companies also offer their own patient assistance or support programs to help cover the cost of their drugs: 90003 90002 Some doctor’s offices have a dedicated staff member available to help patients cover their medication costs.If you’re having difficulty paying for your hepatitis C drugs, ask your doctor for advice. 90003.90000 Hepatitis C: Symptoms, causes, and treatments 90001 90002 Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is the most common blood-borne viral infection in the United States. 90003 90002 Around 2.4 million people in the United States are living with a diagnosis of hepatitis C. However, many people with the infection do not know that they have it. 90003 90002 The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes hepatitis C. It is contagious, and a person can transmit it to someone else through blood-to-blood contact.90003 90002 The main complication of chronic hepatitis C is liver damage. This can include cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Early diagnosis can prevent liver damage. Left untreated, hepatitis C can be fatal. 90003 90002 New medications can cure chronic hepatitis C, and some researchers believe the infection could become rare in the U.S. by the year 2036. There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, but people can take steps to reduce their risk of infection. 90003 90002 This article provides an overview of acute and chronic hepatitis C, including their symptoms, causes, and treatments.90003 Share on PinterestEarly diagnosis of hepatitis C may lower a person’s risk of liver damage. 90002 Generally speaking, hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver. Several viruses can cause hepatitis. The most common types are A, B, and C. 90003 90002 These viruses invade liver cells, causing swelling and dysfunction. Over time, inflammation in the liver tissue can damage the organ. 90003 90002 Hepatitis C infections can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-lasting). When a person has acute hepatitis, symptoms can last for 6 months.90003 90002 An acute infection becomes chronic if the body can not clear the virus. This is common — acute infections become chronic in more than 50% of cases. 90003 90002 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), today, most new cases of hepatitis C occur from contact with needles or other equipment used to prepare or inject drugs. This is often from sharing needles or accidental contact in healthcare settings. 90003 90002 Hepatitis C can range from a mild illness that lasts for a few weeks to a severe and chronic health condition.90003 90002 People can have hepatitis C with no symptoms, especially at the acute stage, and may not know they have it. This makes it easier to transmit to others. 90003 90028 Acute hepatitis C 90029 90002 Most people with acute hepatitis C do not develop symptoms. If they do, symptoms usually arise between 2 and 12 weeks after exposure. 90003 90002 People rarely receive a diagnosis of acute hepatitis C as it lacks definitive symptoms. Because of this, doctors often call hepatitis C the silent epidemic.90003 90002 The acute symptoms are very similar to other viral infections. Symptoms of acute hepatitis C include: 90003 90002 According to CDC, less than half of people with acute hepatitis C clear the virus from their bodies without treatment and do not develop the chronic condition. Researchers do not know why this happens in some people and not others. 90003 90028 Chronic hepatitis C 90029 90002 Hepatitis C becomes chronic when the body can not clear the virus. 90003 90002 In most cases, chronic hepatitis C does not cause any symptoms or causes general symptoms, such as chronic fatigue or depression.A person may only find out they have the condition during a routine blood test or screening for a blood donation. 90003 90002 Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent liver damage. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to: 90003 90046 90047 chronic liver disease, which can happen slowly over several decades without any symptoms 90048 90047 cirrhosis, or liver scarring, which occurs in up to 20% of people after 20-30 years 90048 90047 liver failure 90048 90047 liver cancer 90048 90055 90002 THe HCV virus causes hepatitis C.90003 90002 People contract the virus through blood-to-blood contact with contaminated blood. For transmission to occur, blood containing HCV must enter the body of a person without HCV. 90003 90002 A speck of blood, invisible to the naked eye, can carry hundreds of hepatitis C virus particles. The virus is not easy to kill. 90003 90002 The CDC offers advice on cleaning syringes if it is not possible to use clean and sterile ones. Although bleach might kill the HCV in syringes, it may not have the same effect on other equipment.Boiling, burning, and using alcohol, peroxide, or other common cleaning fluids to wash equipment may reduce the amount of HCV, but it might not stop a person contracting the infection. 90003 90002 It is extremely dangerous to inject bleach, disinfectant, or other cleaning products, so be sure to rinse the syringe thoroughly. Only ever use bleach to clean equipment if new, sterile syringes and equipment are not available. 90003 90002 A person can not contract the virus from casual contact, breathing, kissing, or sharing food.There is no evidence that mosquito bites can transfer the virus. 90003 90002 The CDC report the following risk factors for developing hepatitis C: 90003 90046 90047 using or having used injectable drugs, which is currently the most common route in the U.S. 90048 90047 receiving transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 року, which is before blood screening became available 90048 90047 exposure to a needle stick, which is most common in people who work in healthcare 90048 90047 being born to a mother who has hepatitis C 90048 90055 90002 Though the risk is low, people can also contract hepatitis C through: 90003 90046 90047 sexual contact without barrier protection, especially rough or anal sex, which makes blood-to-blood contact more likely 90048 90047 sharing items that could have contact with blood, such as toothbrushes or razors 90048 90047 invasive healthcare procedures, such as injections 90048 90047 unregulated tattooing 90048 90055 90002 People who are at risk due to these factors can receive a screening to rule out HCV.90003 90002 Doctors can diagnose hepatitis C using blood tests: 90003 90046 90047 First, the doctor will perform a simple blood test to look for hepatitis C antibodies in the blood. A positive test means that the person has had exposure to the virus, but does not necessarily prove ongoing infection. 90048 90055 90046 90047 If the antibody test is positive, the person may then have a second blood test called a hepatitis C RNA test. This will check whether the virus is still present in the blood.90048 90055 90046 90047 A third blood test — called a genotype test — can work out which type of hepatitis C virus is present, as there are at least six types. 90048 90055 90002 If the person has had hepatitis C for a long time, a doctor may recommend further tests to look for liver damage, measure the severity of any existing damage, and rule out other causes of damage. 90003 90002 These tests usually involve blood tests and ultrasound scans. Doctors only use a liver biopsy — which involves taking a small sample of liver tissue — when the other tests do not provide enough information.90003 90002 Modern treatments can cure hepatitis C in most cases. These treatments involve a combination of antiviral medications taken for 8 to 24 weeks. 90003 90002 Direct-acting antiviral medicines (DAAs) can cure most cases of chronic hepatitis C and acute hepatitis C. These are modern medicines approved in 2013. The medications are well-tolerated, with the most common side effects being a headache and fatigue. 90003 90002 These medications work by targeting specific steps in the HCV life cycle to disrupt the reproduction of viral cells.90003 90002 DAAs to treat hepatitis C include: 90003 90046 90047 elbasvir / grazoprevir (Zepatier) 90048 90047 glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Mavyret) 90048 90047 ledipasvir / sofosbuvir 90126 (Harvoni) 90048 90047 peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys) 90048 90047 sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) 90048 90055 90002 The choice of medication and duration of treatment depends on the genotype of the virus. Genotype 1a is the most prevalent in the U.S. 90003 90002 Before DAAs became available, the treatment for chronic hepatitis C was lengthy and uncomfortable, with less than ideal cure rates.Now, the cure rates are over 90%. 90003 90002 However, new medications can be very costly. Most government and private health insurance prescription drug plans will help provide some coverage for these medications. Some drug companies and other programs can help, too. 90003 90002 Speak with a healthcare professional for advice on paying for hepatitis C treatment. 90003 90002 It is important to note that a person can get hepatitis C more than once. After successful treatment, the person should take steps to prevent another infection.90003 90002 People can get vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and hepatitis B, but there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. To prevent infection, people must avoid exposure to the virus that causes it. 90003 90002 According to the CDC, the best way to prevent hepatitis C is to stop injecting. Using drug treatments such as methadone or buprenorphine reduce the risk because they do not involve injections. 90003 90002 If a person continues to inject, they can reduce their risk of hepatitis C by using a new needle each time they inject, never sharing needles with another person, and making sure the environment, injection site, and all equipment are clean and sterilized before injecting.90003 90002 Obesity, smoking, diabetes, and alcohol consumption can accelerate the rate of liver scarring. It is important that all individuals with hepatitis C maintain good health. This involves: 90003 90002 The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) recommend that people who have hepatitis C use the following methods to prevent transmitting it to others: 90003 90046 90047 avoiding sharing drug needles or other drug materials 90048 90047 wearing gloves when touching another person’s open sores 90048 90047 telling any tattooists or piercer that you have hepatitis C and making sure they use sterile tools and unopened ink 90048 90047 avoiding sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers 90048 90047 telling any new sexual partners that you have hepatitis C and using barrier protection during sexual activity 90048 90055 90002 Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne viral infection in the U.S. and can cause fatal liver damage if left untreated. In 2016, the CDC reported at least 18,153 deaths related to hepatitis C. 90003 90002 However, improvements in education, risk-based screening, prevention methods, and modern treatments, the outlook for hepatitis C is better than ever. 90003 90002 Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve a person’s outlook and prevent liver damage. Modern medicines can cure hepatitis C in 90% of cases. 90003 90002 These treatments are expensive.If a person is at risk of exposure to the virus, they should have regular screenings to make sure they do not have the virus. Following prevention strategies correctly, can usually help a person avoid contracting the virus. 90003 90002 Read the article in Spanish here. 90003.