Hepatitis C, a disease caused by the HCV virus, causes liver problems, usually in the long term. Currently, about 1% of the Brazilian population is infected by this disease, which was discovered in 1989.
It is transmitted by the entry of the virus into the bloodstream, through blood transfusion, transplants, or sharing of syringes, razors, pliers and other sharp objects that were previously used by people contaminated. Although cases are rare, this disease can also be transmitted through sexual intercourse without using a condom and vertically, from pregnant woman to baby. There is no vaccine for HCV.
Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic for many years, and when symptoms appear they tend to be similar to those of a common flu. Thus, the virus infection tends to be diagnosed accidentally, through blood tests required for another purpose, showing high rates of an enzyme called TGP, or ALT. Identifying this factor, an investigation is carried out to confirm the presence of the pathogen, requiring blood tests and, in some situations, liver biopsy.
The big problem lies in the fact that 80% of these people will develop chronic hepatitis, and in 40% of cases they will trigger complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Thus, when the discovery is early, a treatment is carried out to reduce the chances of developing chronic hepatitis C, which lasts for six months. When this does not happen, some drugs are indicated to eliminate the virus and control the symptoms, and the total cure depends on the degree of liver involvement, virus genotype and its load viral.
Treatment is not always easy, as it can give the patient body aches, hair loss, weight loss, depression, among other symptoms - which disappear completely after these procedures. When the virus is not cleared and the disease continues to progress, liver transplantation may be necessary. Patients infected by HCV are the most frequent cause of indications for this surgical procedure.
Important information: About 20% of patients with hepatitis C can develop diabetes, as the virus interferes with insulin production.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH WARNS:
Self-medication can have unwanted and unanticipated effects, as the wrong medicine not only does not cure, it can worsen your health.
By Mariana Araguaia
Graduated in Biology
Brazil School Team
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