Hepatitis C - Understanding The Disease

Today over 4 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus and there are thirty thousand new cases of this virus found each year. Hepatitis C takes ten thousand lives each year just in the United States. The virus was discovered in 1987, but not until after 1990 was blood tested for hepatitis, causing many people to receive and contract the virus. Hepatitis is thought to have originated in the Far East because of the diversity and number of people infected in that location. Strains of hepatitis are found in Thailand, which has led researchers to believe it mutated in Asia to form all its genotypes. There are five types of hepatitis virus and they are A, B, C, D, and E.

The main target of hepatitis is the liver, which is one of the most important organs in the human body. The liver is the largest internal organ we have, and is located in the upper right section of the abdomen. The liver has many functions it does for our body. The liver cleans and purifies blood, activities most medicines, forms nutrients to certain parts of the body, and others that stop bleeding. Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the livers cells and tissues. If the liver stops working or is even severally injured, Death is the next step.

There are many ways to contract hepatitis C and there are also many types of people who are more prone to it then others. Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, meaning it grows and reproduces in your blood. That also means that it is transmitted though blood. The hepatitis C virus has been known to survive up to three months in a single drop of dried blood. This means never ever touch new or old blood. The most common way to contract Hepatitis C is though needles. Never share any needles. These can be from body piercing, injected illegal drugs and tattooing. Another common way is through blood transfusions. Since labs did not start testing blood for hepatitis C virus until 1990 many people received contaminated blood. Hepatitis C can also be contracted through mosquitoes, air, food or water. Hepatitis C can affect all races, but it is common in minority groups.

There are a lot of symptoms that one, who is infected with hepatitis C can experience making it hard to diagnose. The first symptoms occur between six to twelve weeks of contact with the virus. The most common symptoms are those of the flu. They are fatigue, nausea, poor appetite, fever, chills, headaches, sore throat and joint pain. These symptoms only last for about a week causing many people to ignore them and go back to their normal life. Without the treatment at the first symptom the patient will develop Chronic hepatitis. Chronic Hepatitis is where the disease becomes persistent. Chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis of the liver or even major cancer of the liver.

There are many test that doctors can perform to see if you have hepatitis C. The first test is called the Enzyme Linked Immunasorbent Assay better known as EIA, which was developed in 1991, The EIA test looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in the blood. Another antibody detection test is the Recombinant Immunoblat Assay better known as RIBA. The matrix test is also done and it also detects antibodies. This test is giving to patients with little to no symptoms.

If you have hepatitis C try to live while you are still alive. Try and follow a few guidelines to help expand your life. The number one priority is to eat a healthy diet. Plenty of fresh fruits, vegetable, grain, and fish are good for your body . Try to avoid eating fried or spicy foods and foods high in refined sugar or caffeine. Do not drink alchol, since everything goes through your liver and that will greatly affect it. Drink plenty of water. Following these guidelines and live a healthy life while having hepatitis C will make you live a better part of your life.