Hepatitis C- Symptoms, Complications, Risk Factors, Transmission and Treatment

Hepatitis C is a viral and transmittable disease caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Chronic hepatitis refers to the advanced stages of the ailment if it is left untreated for extended periods.

Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis C:

Although Hepatitis C shows little to no indications in the initial stages, a few symptoms appear as the disease progresses. Some of them include:

• Continual bleeding
• Yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin
• Red or purple spots on the skin
• Itchy skin and red palms
• Fatigue, nausea, and dizziness
• Loss of appetite
• Dark color of urine
• Light-colored stool
• Fever and weakness
• Easy bruising
• Jaundice
• Abdominal swelling and pain
• Abrupt weight loss
• Confusion, incoherent speech, and headache

Complications due to Chronic Hepatitis C:

Untreated Hepatitis C can lead to a barrage of complications that may even turn lethal for the affected individual. They include:

• High pressure in the blood veins of the liver (portal hypertension)
• Spleen enlargement (splenomegaly)
• Fluid collection in and infection of the stomach (ascites)
• Multi-organ failure
• Liver cancer or failure
• Internal bleeding
• Anemia
• Cirrhosis
• Loss of bone strength and weight
• Type 2 diabetes
• Blood discharge from mouth or rectum
• Disproportionate swelling of the abdomen and legs
• Toxin buildup in the brain (hepatic encephalopathy)

Risk Factors of Chronic Hepatitis C:

It is a fact that Hepatitis C reaches a chronic state if untreated for a long time. Nevertheless, specific factors can make one susceptible to developing the ailment and lead to a worsened condition. A few of them are:

• Excessive intake of alcohol and injection drug use
• An undue and unwarranted buildup of fat in the liver
• Obesity
• Coronary artery diseases
• Liver inflammation
• Steroid treatments
• Excessive buildup of copper and iron in the blood
• Genetic disposition
• Autoimmune disorders
• Continued exposure to radiation

Transmission of Chronic Hepatitis C:

Chronic Hepatitis C can be transmitted from one individual to another through body fluids. Hence, its communication can be through the following methods:

• Blood transfusions
• Organ transplants
• Shared personal items like toothbrush, razer, cutlery, and so on with the affected individual
• Unprotected sexual intercourse
• Passing of body fluid through kissing, used needles, etc.
• Transmission from mother to child through the placenta

Treatment:

Doctors use a combination of 100 mg of Velpatasvir and 400 mg of Sofosbuvir, called Velakast, for chronic Hepatitis C treatment. It slows down the process of multiplication of the virus and stops it from spreading to other parts of the body.