HEPATITIS C GROUP 3 3.

Direct Contact with an Infected Person

•Less common but still possible

What is Hepatitis C?
Examples include:
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). •Living in the same household and sharing personal items (like razors or toothbrushes)
The virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a
mild illness to a serious, lifelong illness including liver cirrhosis, liver cancer and •Caring for someone with hepatitis without using protective measures
liver failure. •Touching open wounds or surfaces contaminated with infected fluids

MODE OF TRANSMISSION SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES

Hepatitis can spread in different ways depending on the type of hepatitis virus (A,
B, C, D, or E). It is important to understand. Most don't have any symptoms but patients with acute hepatitis C may have flu-like
symptoms. They may exhibit the following symptoms like:
1. Through Bodily Fluids

•Common in Hepatitis B and C

•Transmission can happen through:
•Sharing needles or syringes (e.g., among drug users)
•Unprotected sex with an infected person
•Blood transfusions (especially if not properly screened)
•From an infected mother to her baby during childbirth

2. Contaminated Food and Water

While symtoms of chronic hepatitis C can happen over months and, sometimes years.
•Common in Hepatitis A and E Symptoms that you may first notice are symptoms of cirrhosis like:

•Transmission happens when people:

 Confusion and changes in behavior and mood from hepatic encephalopathy
•Eat food or drink water contaminated with feces from an infected person
 Excessive bleeding (hemorrhage)
•Eat food handled by someone who didn’t wash their hands after using the toilet
 Jaundice
•Live in or travel to places with poor sanitation  Pain in your upper left abdomen (belly)
 TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT
 Reddish or dark-colored skin on your palms
 Small, spiderlike blood vessels in your skin (spider angiomas)
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver and can lead to
 Swollen belly and unexplained weight gain from ascites (fluid buildup in your chronic liver disease if untreated. Advances in medical science have made HCV a
belly) curable condition, with several effective treatment options available. Below is an
overview of the key treatment and management strategies:
 Vomiting blood because swollen veins in your esophagus (esophageal varices)
cause bleeding in your digestive tract 1. Antiviral Medications

- Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs): These medications have revolutionized HCV

treatment, offering cure rates exceeding 95%. DAAs target specific steps in the
PREVENTION MEASURE
viral replication process, effectively eliminating the virus from the body. Commonly
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by a virus. To prevent it: prescribed DAAs include sofosbuvir, ledipasvir, and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir.
Treatment duration typically ranges from 8 to 12 weeks.
Vaccination: Although there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C yet, staying vaccinated - Combination Therapy: DAAs are often used in combination to enhance efficacy
against hepatitis A and B can protect your liver from more damage if you get and address different genotypes of the virus.
hepatitis C.

Safe Sex Practices: Use condoms and practice safe sex to reduce the risk of 2. Interferon Therapy
spreading or getting hepatitis C. - Historically, interferon-alpha was used to treat HCV by boosting the immune
system's ability to fight the virus. However, this therapy has largely been replaced
by DAAs due to its significant side effects and lower cure rates.
Proper Hygiene: Avoid sharing items like razors, toothbrushes, or needles, and
always ensure medical equipment is clean to prevent infection.
3. Liver Transplantation

- For patients with end-stage liver disease or liver failure caused by HCV, liver
IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION: transplantation may be necessary. Post-transplant antiviral therapy is crucial to
Since Hepatitis C can lead to serious liver problems, preventing it is very prevent reinfection of the new liver. DAAs (Direct Acting Antivirals) have
significantly improved outcomes for transplant recipients.
important.Good prevention keeps you and others safe from long-term health
issues.
ADDITIONAL MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIES - Prevent Further Damage:

Early intervention can prevent or slow the progression of chronic liver diseases,
- Monitoring and Follow-Up: Regular liver function tests and imaging studies are like fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.
essential to assess disease progression and treatment response.
Lifestyle changes, medications, or other treatments can be initiated promptly to
- Preventive Measures: Vaccination against Hepatitis A and B is recommended for mitigate further damage to the liver.
individuals with HCV (Hepatitis C virus) to prevent co-infections.

- Lifestyle Modifications: Avoiding alcohol, maintaining a healthy diet, and Unchecked inflammation and fibrosis can lead to cirrhosis, a late-stage scarring of
managing comorbid conditions or a person that has two or more health problems the liver, which significantly impacts liver function.
at the same time can support liver health.
-Improve Treatment Outcomes:
HCV treatment guidelines are continually updated, and consulting a healthcare
professional is vital for personalized care and the most current recommendations. Early diagnosis allows for a more comprehensive array of treatment choices, many
of which are more effective in the early stages of the disease.

EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT FOR LIVER DISEASE

To sum it up, early diagnosis and treatment are vital in managing liver diseases.
Prompt intervention can significantly reduce the risk of severe liver damage, life-
Minimizes Liver Damage: Early detection allows for prompt intervention,
threatening complications, and improve overall health outcomes. Regular
preventing the virus from replicating and causing extensive damage to liver cells.
checkups, especially for individuals at high risk, are crucial for early detection.
The sooner treatment begins, the better the chances of preventing irreversible
scarring (cirrhosis) and liver failure.
POTENTIAL BENEFITS AND RISK OF NEW TREATMENT, VACCINE, OR DIAGNOSTIC
Reduces Complications: Many liver diseases, if left untreated, can lead to serious TOOLS
complications, including:
 Benefits
 Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver, impairing its function.
 Liver Failure: The liver's inability to perform its essential functions. - Can cure hepatitis more effectively
 Liver Cancer: Development of cancerous tumors in the liver. - May have fewer side effects
 Portal Hypertension: Increased blood pressure in the portal vein, leading to
complications like bleeding. - Could be taken for a shorter time
 Encephalopathy: Brain dysfunction due to the buildup of toxins in the blood.
 Improves Treatment Outcomes: Early treatment significantly improves the ● New Vaccines
effectiveness of antiviral medications and other therapies. In some cases, early
intervention can even lead to a complete cure. - Help prevent hepatitis infections
 Enhances Quality of Life: Early diagnosis and treatment allow individuals to
maintain a better quality of life by preventing or delaying the onset of - Protect more people, including those at higher risk
debilitating symptoms and complications. - May work better than older vaccines
● Improved Diagnostic Tools ● False Results in Diagnosis

- Detect the disease earlier - New tests may give wrong results (false positives or negatives)
- Give faster and more accurate results - Could lead to wrong treatment or stress
- Help doctors choose the best treatment quickly
● Resistance to Treatment

● Reduced Spread of Disease

- Virus might become resistant to new drugs over time

- Early diagnosis and treatment can stop the virus from spreading
- Vaccines lower the number of new infections

● Better Quality of Life

- People feel healthier and live longer with proper care

- Reduces liver damage and complications

■ Potential Risks

● Side Effects

- New treatments or vaccines may cause unknown side effects

- Some people may have allergic reactions

● High Cost

- New technologies can be expensive

- Not everyone may afford them right away

● Limited Access

- May not be available in all countries, especially poorer areas