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Title: Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that leads to liver inflammation. It is primarily spread through infected blood, often due to shared needles or unsafe practices. While many individuals remain asymptomatic, some may experience fatigue, jaundice, or no symptoms at all. This virus can cause severe liver damage, but the good news is that highly effective oral antiviral drugs can now cure over 95% of cases, although no vaccine is currently available.

Causes & Transmission

• Virus: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
• Transmission Methods:
  • Sharing needles, syringes, or drug injection equipment
  • Unsafe medical procedures, blood transfusions, or organ transplants (historically)
  • Unregulated tattoos/piercings
  • Mother-to-child transmission during birth
  • Sexual transmission (less common, but possible with blood exposure)

Symptoms

• Many people remain asymptomatic
• When symptoms do appear (weeks to months later), they may include:
  • Fever, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
  • Poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools
  • Later signs of liver damage: swollen legs/belly, confusion, easy bruising

Diagnosis & Treatment

• Consult a medical laboratory scientist for accurate diagnosis:
  • Diagnosis: Blood tests to detect antibodies to the virus.
  • Treatment: Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs), which are pills taken for 8-12 weeks, curing most individuals.
  • Prognosis: Treatable; however, untreated chronic cases can lead to serious conditions like cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.

Prevention

• No vaccine is available.
• Prevention focuses on avoiding blood exposure:
  • Safe injection practices
  • Safer sex
  • Universal precautions in healthcare

Stay safe!

From your Godly friend - Path.AA

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