Patient Guide To WWW.

[Name of the institute]

Patient Guide To WWW.

Introduction

The patient encountered by the nurse is suffering from HCV infection. He has been diagnosed with acute HCV infection 2 months back. Patient is an alcohol addict and remained convinced that it will not affect his condition.

Discussion

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus is a blood borne virus and spreads through blood contact. The population that is at high risk of developing Hepatitis C infection includes (Chak, 2011)

Blood transfusions before 1990

IV drug users

Intranasal cocaine users

Health care workers

Chronic haemodialysis patients

Hepatitis C mothers giving birth

Body piercing or tattoos carriers

People engaged in high-risk sexual activity

Veterans

Hepatitis C carriers as Alcohol Users

Around 1/5th of all the hepatitis C deaths have been caused by the excessive alcohol use. Alcohol being a toxic metabolite is detoxified by the liver. The liver of a HCV patient is already weak and infected. When this liver is forced to detoxify a very large amount of alcohol, its cells start getting damaged and eventually they die. This condition can cause liver cirrhosis, fatty liver deposition and even liver failure (Wise, 2008). According to the studies, there have been found clinical evidences that prove the alcohol consumption is responsible for increases in the HCV replication. This modulates the host response (World J Gastroenterol, 2010)

Signs and Symptoms

The common side effects include the following (John, S.M.T., MD, 2008)

Flu like symptoms

Myalgia (muscular pain)

Chills and night seats

Loss of appetite

Weakness

Abdominal pain

The acute infection can result from exposure to the Hepatitis C virus. The progression is usually asymptomatic. Around 85% patients suffering from acute hepatitis C infection develops chronic HCV infection. These patients, in severe cases, develop liver cirrhosis (Department of Health & Human Services, 2010). According to an estimate, 3.2 million Americans have chronic hepatitis C infection and around 12,000 die every day due to exacerbation of the liver conditions. ...