What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is one of the diseases that can attack the liver. The disease caused by this virus can trigger infection and inflammation in the liver. This disease generally does not show symptoms in the early stages.
Even if it does appear, the symptoms are almost similar to other diseases. These symptoms include always feeling tired, achy, and having no appetite.
Hepatitis C virus can cause both acute and chronic infections. Acute hepatitis C is a short-term infection that can last up to 6 months.
This infection is usually asymptomatic and rarely causes death. About 15–45 percent of people recover from acute hepatitis C without special treatment.
Meanwhile, around 55–85 percent of the rest will retain the virus for a long time, then develop into chronic hepatitis C infection.
Chronic sufferers have a risk of about 15–30 percent of developing cirrhosis of the liver within 20 years. This complication can be fatal.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
This disease generally does not show symptoms until the liver is seriously damaged.
Many people have infections without realizing it until the effects are truly felt.
However, when symptoms do occur, they can be mistaken for other conditions. This is called chronic hepatitis C.
Some symptoms that can arise include:
- Feeling tired.
- Easy bleeding or bruising.
- Often have no appetite to eat.
- Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
- Weight loss.
- The urine produced is dark in color.
- Itchy skin.
- Swelling in the legs.
- Having hepatic encephalopathy.
- Spider-like blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas).
Every chronic hepatitis infection begins with an acute phase. Acute symptoms can appear one to three months after exposure to the virus and last two weeks to three months.
However, this disease does not always develop into a chronic condition.
Some people clear hepatitis C after entering the acute phase, also known as spontaneous viral clearance.
Causes of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is caused by infection with a virus of the same name. The infection can spread when blood contaminated with the virus enters a person’s bloodstream.
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is divided into several different forms, also called genotypes. There are seven different HCV genotypes and over 67 subtypes that have been identified.
Hepatitis C Risk Factors
Everyone is actually susceptible to hepatitis. However, there are several factors that can increase a person’s risk of getting this type of hepatitis, including:
- Having a fresh or open wound that is exposed to infected blood.
- Using injected drugs.
- Having sex without using a condom and changing partners.
- Getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterile equipment.
- Hereditary factors (having parents who have hepatitis C).
This virus develops in the blood, so transmission is likely to occur if there is contact with the blood of someone with this condition.
For example, by sharing needles or undergoing a tattooing process in a place that does not have sterile equipment.
In addition, lending each other personal items, such as nail clippers and toothbrushes, as well as casual sexual relations can also increase a person’s risk of contracting this disease.
However, the virus will not be transmitted through breast milk, food, drink, or contact with sufferers (such as shaking hands or hugging).
Fun Facts
The hepatitis C virus was only discovered in 1989. Previously, cases of hepatitis that could not be explained by hepatitis A or B were called “non-A non-B hepatitis.”
An estimated 58 million people worldwide are living with chronic hepatitis C infection. However, many of them are undiagnosed because access to testing and awareness of the disease are still low in many countries.
Diagnosis of Hepatitis C
Diagnosis is done to detect this condition early. The earlier the disease is detected and treated, the less risk of liver damage that may occur.
Examinations that a doctor will usually perform to diagnose this condition include a medical interview to determine medical history, a physical examination, and blood tests.
If you do have hepatitis C, your doctor may recommend additional tests to check for liver damage. These tests may include additional blood tests, a liver ultrasound, and a liver biopsy.
Hepatitis C Treatment
Acute hepatitis C can usually be cured without special treatment. While chronic hepatitis C sufferers require treatment steps through antiviral drugs.
The drug stops the virus from growing and prevents liver damage.
It is important to remember that even though they have recovered, people with this disease must be careful because they are at risk of being re-infected with the same disease.
If it has caused cirrhosis, sufferers should see a liver specialist. Treatment for health problems related to cirrhosis includes medications, surgery, and other medical procedures.
If hepatitis C causes liver failure or liver cancer, a liver transplant may be necessary.
Complications of Hepatitis C
If left untreated, this health condition can lead to the following complications:
Cirrhosis
This is a condition where the liver is slowly damaged and cannot function normally. Healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue and partially blocks blood flow through the liver.
In the early stages of cirrhosis, the liver can still function. However, as cirrhosis progresses, the liver will begin to fail.
Liver Failure
Also called end-stage liver disease, liver failure develops over months, years or even decades. At this stage, the liver can no longer perform essential functions or replace damaged cells.
Liver Cancer
Chronic hepatitis C can increase a person’s risk of developing liver cancer. If chronic hepatitis C causes severe liver damage or cirrhosis before treatment, you will still be at risk of liver cancer even after treatment.
Your doctor may recommend blood tests or imaging tests to detect liver cancer.
Hepatitis C Prevention
This disease cannot be prevented by vaccination. However, there are several ways that can be done to reduce the risk of transmission. For example:
- Stop or do not use illegal drugs
- Avoid sharing personal items that may be contaminated with blood (such as nail clippers and toothbrushes).
- Implement safe sexual practices and be faithful to one partner.
Although this disease is rarely transmitted through sexual intercourse, using protective equipment, such as condoms, can protect you from hepatitis C.
Especially if there is contact with blood, such as anal sex or menstrual blood. People with hepatitis C are also at higher risk of contracting other types of hepatitis.
Doctors generally recommend vaccination to prevent hepatitis A and B.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How is Hepatitis C transmitted?
Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood.
Well, here are some ways:
- Use of contaminated syringes.
- Blood or organ transfusions before 1992 (when strict screening began).
- Rarely through sexual contact or from mother to child.
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What is the difference between Hepatitis B and C?
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are diseases caused by viruses that attack the liver, but they have some fundamental differences in terms of causes, transmission routes, treatment, and prevention.
Here is the explanation:
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Reason
Hepatitis B: Caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Hepatitis C: Caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
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Symptom
Hepatitis B: Often shows symptoms such as fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, yellow eyes, or extreme fatigue. Most adults recover completely.
Hepatitis C: Usually does not show symptoms in the early stages (silent infection). If there are symptoms, they are usually mild and difficult to recognize.
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Possibility of Becoming Chronic
Hepatitis B: About 5-10 percent of cases in adults become chronic. However, in infected infants, 90 percent will become chronic.
Hepatitis C: About 70-85 percent of cases become chronic infections if left untreated.
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Treatment
Hepatitis B: Does not always require treatment if the infection is acute. For chronic infections, there are antiviral drugs such as tenofovir or entecavir to control the virus, but there is no cure.
Hepatitis C: Chronic infection can be cured with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in more than 95 percent of cases.
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Prevention:
Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B vaccine is available and is very effective in preventing infection. Blood screening, use of sterile medical instruments, and safe sex.
Hepatitis C: There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Prevention includes the use of sterile needles, safe blood transfusions, and screening for the virus in at-risk populations.
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Can hepatitis B and C be cured?
As mentioned earlier, for hepatitis B, there is no cure yet.
However, this condition does not always require treatment, especially acute ones. While for chronic infections, there are antiviral drugs such as tenofovir or entecavir to control the virus.
Meanwhile, for type C, chronic infection can be cured with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in more than 95 percent of cases.
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What type of hepatitis is the most dangerous?
All types of hepatitis have varying levels of risk, depending on the patient’s condition, access to treatment, and possible complications.
However, Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are often considered the most dangerous because of their potential for long-term complications, such as cirrhosis (severe liver damage) and liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma).
