What Is HCV Positive? Symptoms and Causes

Hepatitisrefers to inflammation of the liver that leads to decreasedliver functionand potential damage to the liver.

Although hepatitis can be caused by heavyalcoholconsumption, toxins, certain medical conditions, and some medications, the most common cause of hepatitis is a viral infection due tohepatitis A, B, and C virus.

Two types of hepatitis C include:

1. 急性:It is a new or recent infection within six months of initial exposure to the virus. For some people, acute may turn into a chronic infection.
2. Chronic:If left untreated, hepatitis can turn into a lifelong infection, leading to serious health issues includingcirrhosis(scarring and hardening of the liver), liver damage,liver cancer, liver failure, and even death.

Twosymptoms of hepatitis Cinclude:

1. Acute hepatitis C:
   • Most people infected recently with hepatitis C virus (HCV) do not show any symptoms and thus are unaware of their infection, whereas some may develop symptoms usually 2 to 12 weeks after exposure to HCV and may include:
     • Jaundice(yellowing of the skin or eyes)
     • Loss of appetite
     • Stomach upset
     • Abdominal pain
     • Nausea
     • Vomiting
     • Fever
     • Dark-colored urine
     • Light-colored or clay-colored stools
     • Weaknessand/ortiredness
     • Painful joints
2. Chronic hepatitis C:
   • 很多人智慧h chronic hepatic C may not present with any symptoms other than generalizedfatigue, loss of weight, anddepression, whereas after a few decades, they may gradually develop chronic and fatalliver disease, often leading to:
     • Cirrhosisof the liver
     • Livercancer
     • Permanent liver damage

A person may get infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) through exposure to contaminated body fluids such as blood and semen of an infected person.

Modes of transmission may include:

• Sharing or using infected needles for medications,drugs, piercings, and tattoos
• Unprotected sex with the infected person
• Getting treated with unsterile or infected surgical instruments
• Sharing daily routine items (containing body fluids) such as toothbrushes, nail cutters, razors, or piercing jewelry
• Blood transfusions and organ transplants
• Being born to an infectedpregnantfemale

HCV does not spread by:

• Hugging,shaking hands, or touching
• Cheek or lip kissing
• Sneezing或coughing
• Consuming food prepared or touched by an infected person
• Breastfeeding(women with bleeding or cracked nipples, however, should temporarily stop breastfeeding till their nipples completely heal)
• Sharing utensils such as spoons or forks
• Mosquito bites

People who are at risk of hepatitis C include:

• People who have unprotected sex
• People who are diagnosed with othersexually transmitted diseases
• Children born to infected women
• Health-care providers
• People who tend to share needles and syringes
• People who live in high-risk countries
• Vulnerable people who live in prisons and old age homes
• People ondialysisand those with persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels (an enzyme found within the liver cells)
• Men who have sex with men
• People who are tested positive for thehuman immunodeficiency virus
• People who have multiple sex partners

A person can get reinfected with HCV even if they have been successfully treated and cured. Thus, it is recommended that people who inject and share needles, syringes, or other types of equipment, along with those who receive maintenancehemodialysis, should be screened for hepatitis C regularly.

Four ways to diagnose hepatitis C virus (HCV) include:

1. Blood examination:Blood tests may include
   • HCV antibody test:This test screens antibodies (proteins released into the bloodstream by the immune system of someone infected with hepatitis C virus [HCV]) against HCV.
   • Liver function test:It is the measurement of proteins and enzymes that usually rise seven to eight weeks after the infection.
2. HCV RNA:This test detects the genetic material of the virus and helps diagnose the presence of active infection.
3. Abdominalultrasonography:Anultrasoundshows the size, shape, and blood flow to the liver.
4. Liver biopsy:Liver tissue sample is removed through a small incision and analyzed under the microscope.

Hepatitis C can begin as a short-term infection, but in some people, the virus may remain in the body and cause chronic (long-term) infection.

Almost half of the people infected with the hepatitis C virus may develop a chronic infection that can turn into a serious and long-term health problem, leading to cirrhosis, permanent liver damage, livercancer, and death.

Many people infected with hepatitis C virus clear it from their bodies without any treatment, whereas some may require treatment and lifestyle modifications including:

• Avoid alcohol consumption
• Plenty of fluids
• Adequate rest
• Maintain a healthydiet
• Direct-acting antivirals (interferon, peginterferon, andribavirinare considered the primary treatment of hepatitis C)

Currently, there is novaccinefor hepatitis C, but it is recommended to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

Other precautionary measures recommended by the World Health Organization include:

• Safe sexthrough the use of a latexcondom
• Safe and sterile needles and injections
• 卫生行为tattoomaking and piercing shops
• 献血前检查
• Not sharing personal items such as razors andtoothbrush

• Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus
• Cirrhosis
• Advancedliver disease
• Livercancer
• Liver failure
• Kidney failure
• Gallstones
• Ascites
• Esophageal varices