Hepatitis C

[Name of the Author]

[Name of the Institute]Abstract

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by Hepatitis C virus. It has affected a large number of the population. It comprises of two types i.e. acute and chronic hepatitis C. Its transmission occurs by various ways which causes entry of the virus in blood stream where the virus replicates to produce several copies in order to manifest hepatitis C infection. Its diagnosis can be made by many different methods and advanced techniques which enable its early detection. Provision of adequate treatment is essential to avoid its progression which can cause severe liver damage. The drugs used for treatment also possess certain side effects so they should be administered with caution. Transmission of virus should be avoided to prevent HCV infection.

Abstractii

Introduction1

Hepatitis C1

Acute Hepatitis C1

Chronic Hepatitis C1

Causes of Hepatitis C2

Hepatitis C Virus2

Relation of Hepatitis C with Misuse of Prescription Drugs and Intravenous Drug Use2

Misuse of Prescription Opioids2

Intravenous Drug Use3

Relation of Hepatitis C with HIV3

Symptoms of Hepatitis C3

Diagnosis of Hepatitis C4

Screening4

Laboratory Testing4

Serologic Assays5

Molecular Assays5

Genotyping Assays5

Diagnosis of Acute and Chronic Hepatitis5

Liver Biopsy6

Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection6

Population Infected with Hepatitis C7

Risk Factors for Contracting Hepatitis C Infection8

Blood Transfusions8

Intravenous Drug Use8

Hemodialysis and Transplants8

Surgeries and other Medical Procedures8

Vertical Transmission from Mother to Newborn9

Sexual Transmission9

Conclusion9

References10

Hepatitis C

Introduction

Liver is a vital body organ. Its function is to filter blood and other nutrients and also play a role in immunity. Its inflammation can cause serious problems and have severe impact on its functions. The most common disease affecting the liver is hepatitis. Hepatitis is of different types, the most common types are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. A large number of people are affected every year by hepatitis; most of them include the intravenous drug users and those infected by the hepatitis viruses.

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is an infectious liver disease which most commonly occurs as a result of an infection with the hepatitis C virus. Upon infection it can result in an acute infection with mild illness and absence of any symptoms. Later on it can progress to a chronic infection presenting severe symptoms and damage to the liver.

Acute Hepatitis C

Acute hepatitis C is characterized by a short-term illness which occurs after six months of exposure to the hepatitis C virus. An estimated of about 75-85% of the infected people develop chronic hepatitis C while about 15-25% of the people infected with the virus usually recover from the infection without any treatment and progression to chronic state.

Chronic Hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C is characterized by a long term illness which results due to the progression of acute hepatitis C resulting in persistence of the hepatitis C virus in the body of the infected person for a long period. Chronic hepatitis C cause severe damage to the liver, as it progresses it can cause liver cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.

Causes of Hepatitis C

The main cause of hepatitis C is an infection by Hepatitis C virus. However, it can also be caused by some other ways by which the hepatitis ...