Hepatitis C is a disease that is classified as dangerous. This type of hepatitis will appear mild at first, but over time it can cause fatal damage to the liver. Therefore, it is important for you to recognize the causes, symptoms, and ways to treat hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Based on the length of time the virus infects, hepatitis C is classified into two types, namely acute and chronic.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis C occur within a maximum of 6 months. During this time, the body can fight off the viral infection and recover from it. But in hepatitis C, usually the acute condition will continue to become chronic.
Chronic hepatitis C can persist in the long term and cause serious health problems, such as liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death.
Beware of the Causes of Hepatitis C
As mentioned above, hepatitis C is caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). This virus can be spread through contamination of blood or body fluids of people with hepatitis C.
- Using used needles from sufferers
- Getting a blood transfusion or organ transplant from a patient
- Undergoing medical procedures with non-sterile equipment
- Sharing equipment with sufferers, such as razors or toothbrushes
- Having unprotected sex with sufferers
In addition to these causative factors, transmission of hepatitis C is easier if you have the following risk factors:
- Born to a mother with hepatitis C
- Have HIV infection
- Having a sexual partner who has hepatitis C
- Perform dialysis or hemodialysis for patients with kidney failure
- Abusing injecting drugs
- Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease?
Although it looks easily contagious, keep in mind that the hepatitis C virus will not be transmitted through breast milk (ASI), food, drink, or touch, such as shaking hands, hugging, or kissing the sufferer.
Recognize the Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C almost does not show the typical symptoms in the early stages of the virus infecting. Most people with hepatitis C experience only mild symptoms of acute hepatitis within 1-3 months of being infected with the virus. These symptoms include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Jaundice
- Dark yellow urine
- Pale stools
Symptoms of acute hepatitis can resolve in 2 weeks to 3 months. However, without realizing it, the hepatitis C virus can still be in the body for years later and slowly cause damage to the liver. This condition is called chronic hepatitis C.
Signs and symptoms that can result from chronic hepatitis C and liver damage include easy bruising or bleeding, fatigue throughout the day, ascites, swelling of the legs, difficulty concentrating, significant weight loss, vomiting blood, and loss of consciousness.
Like This How To Treat Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through blood tests, namely hepatitis C antibody tests and viral genetic tests (HCV RNA). If the test is positive, the doctor will check the level of the patient's liver damage with several additional tests, such as liver function tests, abdominal ultrasound, fibroscan, or magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and liver biopsy.
Hepatitis C doesn't always have to be treated. This condition can heal by itself if the patient's immune system is good. However, the patient's condition and the amount of virus in the body must always be monitored.
If hepatitis C develops chronically, your doctor will prescribe several combinations of antiviral drugs. The goal of hepatitis C treatment is to relieve symptoms and eliminate the hepatitis C virus until it is undetectable in the body.
Recently, the treatment of hepatitis C also involves the use of anti-viral drugs direct-acting antivirus, For example, daclatasvir. This treatment takes a shorter time (12–24 weeks) and the success is also good, ie 90–97%.
In addition to antiviral drugs, patients also need to get hepatitis A and B vaccines to protect the liver. The reason is, additional infection with hepatitis A or B viruses can worsen chronic hepatitis C and cause complications.
In patients who have experienced complications from hepatitis C, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, the tissue damage cannot heal by itself. Therefore, the therapy offered is usually a liver transplant.
In addition to taking medication, doctors will also recommend hepatitis C patients to make lifestyle changes, such as:
- Eat low-fat and high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Avoid foods that contain trans fats and saturated fats
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages
- Avoid illegal drugs
- Avoid sharing personal items, such as razors and toothbrushes
So far, there is no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C virus infection. Therefore, you are advised to always prevent hepatitis C virus infection by not using drugs and sharing needles with other users, using gloves when in contact with other people's blood, and use a condom during sex.
In addition, adopting a healthy lifestyle can also keep your liver healthy and strengthen the immune system so that it is stronger in fighting viruses that cause disease, including the hepatitis C virus.
If you feel the symptoms of hepatitis C, acute or chronic, especially if you are classified as a person at risk for hepatitis C, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
