Hepatitis C is on the Rise in the U.S.

Hepatitis C is a chronic virus that has no cure as of today. It is commonly known as the silent disease as many patients can have the virus for decades before developing any symptoms. There are an estimated 4 million Americans living with this disease, many are unaware of the effects it is taking on their body. This is also a main cause of the spread of the disease. Hepatitis C is spread through direct blood contact. Next to AIDS, Hepatitis C is the most common virus across the world. The disease destroys the liver as the years go by and eventually will lead to cirrhosis of the liver and may lead to liver failure. Hepatitis C is the most common disease that leads to liver transplants in the USA. Read on for some more facts on this incurable disease.

Hepatitis C is only one of the various Hepatitis diseases. Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B also affect many Americans each year. Hepatitis A and B have vaccines and cures; however no research has found a cure for Hepatitis C. Each type of Hepatitis affects the liver and causes it to inflame. The liver is a vital organ in your body and removes toxins from your blood. When your liver is working inefficiently your blood is not cleansed as well and will allow toxins to remain in your body. This is obviously not an ideal situation and can lead to various other problems. Once the virus Hepatitis is in your bloodstream, your body can never get rid of it. The virus will eventually settle in other parts of your body including your brain.

While there is no cure for Hepatitis C, there are some treatments that have proven to lessen the virus in your body. The drug interferon alpha has been shown to prevent the virus from replicating and multiplying inside the body of an infected person. This drug is best used when the disease is caught early on. Once the virus has multiplied and taken over your body, the results are not as effective. Researchers are now testing results when they combine the use of the interferon with antiviral drugs such as ribavirin. Interferon is taken by injection, usually three times a week. The treatment is usually short, less than a year as it is very hard on the infected person's body.

Some self care tips include elimiting all alcohol consumption. The liver must work very hard to remove alcohol from y our blood, so introducing alcohol to your body is detrimental to your liver. You will also want to avoid taking any medications that may affect your liver and consult your doctor before using any chemical medication. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle by exercising and eating a nutritional diet will help your body stay balanced and be stronger to combat this disease. Getting adequate rest will also help maintain strength in your body as well.

If you think you may have been exposed to Hepatitis C you should be tested immediately. By detecting this disease early, your chances of recovering are much greater. Knowing the warning signs of Hepatitis C is very important; however the warning signs are so mild you may never detect them. If you think you have ever come in contact with infected blood, contact your doctor and have your blood checked.