What is hepatitis C?

It is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. HCV-hepatitis leads to edema of the liver, interfering with its normal functioning.
After virus infection, 15-40% of people recover entirely within six months. 60-85% of people live with all their life unless drugs successfully cure them. Chronic HCV-hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, and liver disease.
What is the importance of the liver?
The liver is the second largest organ in the body that is located under the rib cage on the right side. Its mass is about three pounds, and the shape is similar to a soccer ball, flat on the one hand.
The liver performs many functions. It processes the food and beverages you consume into energy and nutrients for use by the body. The liver also eliminates harmful substances from your blood.

Who is at risk for hepatitis C?

Anyone whose blood was in direct contact with blood, infected with HCV, is at risk. These include those who:
• Ever injected intravenously or inhaled drugs (even once)
• He was subjected to a blood transfusion or organ transplant until July 1992.
• Got a clotting factor produced before 1987.
• Ever been submitted to hemodialysis
• He had abnormal concentrations of ALT, recorded several times (in blood tests)
• Ever worked or was in contact with infected needles or blood
• Ever worked in prison or was in custody
• Was born with an HCV-infected mother
• Has HIV
• Ever had unprotected sex (with multiple partners)
• Ever had a sexually transmitted disease
• Ever had tattoos or piercings

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Most people with chronic or acute HCV have no symptoms. The symptoms may include increased fatigue, itching of the skin, dark urine, painful sensation in the muscles, nausea, loss of appetite, stomach pain and yellowing (yellowing of the skin and eye proteins).

 In some people, HCV can exist for years or even decades without any symptoms.
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How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
Blood tests diagnose hepatitis C.
Blood tests are performed to check the presence of antibodies to HCV in the body. Antibodies are proteins produced by the immune system in response to viruses.
To check the extent of liver damage, patients with HCV may need to undergo a liver biopsy. At a biopsy from a liver, the small piece of a tissue investigated in the laboratory is taken.

 How is hepatitis C treated? 
Acute HCV
Doctors often recommend bed rest, copious drinking, adherence to a healthy diet and abstinence from alcohol. For the treatment of acute HCV drugs are not used. It is essential to visit the doctor regularly to perform tests that confirm complete recovery from the virus.
Chronic hepatitis C
In chronic HCV-hepatitis, doctors can advise taking pegylated interferon and ribavirin. These drugs are not suitable for all people who have hepatitis C. In addition, and drugs can have serious side effects.
If you are infected with HCV, it is vital to consult your doctor about treatment options and X-ray diagnosis of liver cancer every 6-12 months. Also, discuss with your doctor the possibility of vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
What is the best way to control hepatitis C?
Most patients with hepatitis C can lead an active lifestyle.
• Eat Healthy Eating
• Exercise
• Rest when you feel tired
• Take only those drugs that were recommended by your doctor
• Avoid alcohol and drugs
  Regularly visit a doctor specializing in liver diseases (hepatology and   gastroenterology)
· Observe all medical prescriptions
· Talk to your doctor about vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. 
  What is the best way to stop the spread of hepatitis C?
· vaccines for the prevention of HCV-hepatitis do not exist. The only way to prevent the spread of HCV is to avoid direct contact with infected blood.
• Do not give your needles to other people's use
• If you are working with blood or injections, adhere to the recommended safety measures
• Practice safe sex
• To perform a tattoo or piercing, use clean needles and equipment
• Do not give your razors, toothbrushes, or other personal belongings to other         people
• If you need to contact someone else's blood, wear the glove
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 Brief information
· Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Direct contact with infected blood transmits · HCV.
·Some people recover completely after six months (acute HCV-hepatitis); however, most people have a multi-year HCV infection called chronic HCV-hepatitis.
· At least 4 million Americans are infected with HCV. Of these, 3.2 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis.
·Vaccines for the prevention of hepatitis do not exist.
· Stop the spread of HCV can be, avoiding direct contact with the blood of other people, not giving to use their combs, toothbrushes or other personal care items to other people, and using clean needles.
· Most people with HCV have no symptoms.
Blood tests diagnose
· HCV
· Chronic HCV-hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, and liver failure.
·Chronic HCV-hepatitis is the main reason for liver transplantation in adults in the US.
· In some patients, drug treatment may help to defeat HCV.
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