What is Hepatitis C?

hepatitis C; It is an infectious disease of viral origin that settles in the liver through the blood and causes liver damage. It causes chronic liver damage and the development of serious diseases in patients infected with hepatitis C. According to the World Health Organization July 2019 reports; It is estimated that 71 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus.

After the hepatitis C virus enters the body, it reaches the liver through the blood and multiplies in the liver cell, triggering the formation of the disease.

In this article, Dr. Meral Sözen will share information about Hepatitis C and inform the public about the disease.

In her office, Dr. Meral Sözen follows up and treats patients with viral hepatitis such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as many liver diseases.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

In hepatitis C patients, the disease can progress without any symptoms until it progresses. After the hepatitis C virus enters the body, the incubation period of 2-6 weeks is followed by the process of settlement and proliferation in the liver. While there are no symptoms in 80% of the patients, fever, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, changes in urine and stool color, joint pain and jaundice can be seen in the rest.

How is hepatitis C transmitted?

Hepatitis C Virus;

• With the use of infected injectors during intravenous drug use
• In the repetitive use of medical materials in contact with blood in the health sector without adequate disinfection.
• Shared use of personal materials that may be contaminated with blood
• Use of hepatitis C-infected blood and blood products
• sexual contact
• transmission from mother to baby
• It can be in the form.

hepatitis C; It is not transmitted by breastfeeding from a mother infected with hepatitis C. In addition, it is not transmitted by hugging, kissing and being in the same social environment.

Who Should Have the Hepatitis C Test?

Groups with increased risk of hepatitis C virus infection should be screened for hepatitis C. These groups include individuals who use intravenous drugs or other drugs, those living in closed environments such as prisons, healthcare professionals who have close contact with blood and blood products, individuals with HIV infection, individuals who have had tattoos and piercings.

What is the Hepatitis C Vaccine?

Despite the studies on hepatitis C vaccine, a vaccine with protection against the disease has not been developed yet.

What is Chronic Hepatitis C Disease?

After an incubation period of 2 weeks to 6 months after the hepatitis C virus enters the body, anti-HCV positivity as well as the positivity of the test showing the proliferation of the virus we call HCV RNA indicates chronic hepatitis C infection.

What is Hepatitis C Infection?

It is an infectious disease caused by a virus called hepatitis C and is usually transmitted through blood. Living in the same house is not contagious by contact. Transmission from mother's womb to child is rare (5%). The infection becomes chronic in 90% of patients who have an infection after the virus has passed into the blood.

Acute infection may be indistinguishable from a flu-like condition. In the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, treatment is carried out with double and triple drug groups. The treatment is long-term and should be followed closely. In addition, the long-term risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer in chronic hepatitis C disease increases over the years.

Is Biopsy Required in Hepatitis C Patients?

Before the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection, liver biopsy should be performed and if there is a change in liver cell structure, which we call fibrosis, treatment is programmed. However, liver biopsy is not performed in patients with cirrhosis. In addition, liver biopsy is not performed in cases where bleeding coagulation time is prolonged, kidney failure, patients with liver and/or kidney transplants, pregnant women, and patients with psychiatric disorders. A biopsy is not required for patients who have received hepatitis C treatment before, but have not benefited or have relapsed.

Can Hepatitis C Patients Be Examined With Fibroscan?

In chronic hepatitis C patients, fibroscan can be applied to evaluate the disease status and response to treatment. Fibroscan application is a special ultrasonographic method and it is a method that shows the flexibility and lubrication of the liver without biopsy. Its use can be preferred since no intervention is made and it does not cause undesirable situations that we call complications.

Is There a Treatment for Hepatitis C?

While treating patients with hepatitis C in the acute period with drugs called interferon, treatment should be applied in the form of a combination of multiple drugs in chronic hepatitis C. . Over the years, different treatment options have come to the fore. Recent treatment agents have been successful for Chronic Hepatitis C and have put a smile on the face of patients.

How Long Does Hepatitis C Treatment Take?

duration of chronic hepatitis C treatment; It varies according to the subgroup characteristics of the hepatitis virus, which we call genotype, and the drugs we use. In the latest treatments, this treatment period varies between 12-24 weeks. 

What Will Happen If Hepatitis C Is Untreated?

If hepatitis C is not treated, it can cause progressive liver damage and cause complications such as cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer and portal hypertension related to these diseases, varicose veins, encephalopathy, and kidney failure.

Does Hepatitis C Cause Cirrhosis?

An average of 70% of patients infected with the hepatitis C virus develop chronic hepatitis C infection. Cirrhosis develops in 15-30% of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection within 20 years.

Does Hepatitis C Cause Cancer?

Liver cancer develops in 1% to 5% of patients who develop cirrhosis due to chronic hepatitis C.

Are there any centers that provide hepatitis C treatment in Ankara?

Hepatitis C treatment in Ankara is applied by infectious diseases and gastroenterology specialists. In Ankara, hepatitis C patients are followed up in state hospitals, Training and Research Hospitals, University hospitals, private hospitals and clinics. In terms of reaching the doctor during the treatment and close follow-up of these patients, the patients prefer the practice more.

Dr Meral Sözen's recommendations for hepatitis C are as follows.

• It is important for individuals in the risk group to have their scans and to take precautions if they have not encountered the virus.
• Personal protective equipment is individual. Therefore, do not use anyone's private belongings. Because you can't predict what kind of disease someone may have.
• It is recommended that hepatitis C patients be screened for Hepatitis A and B and, if not, vaccinated.
• The use of cigarettes and drugs in patients with hepatitis C reduces the treatment response. Therefore, it is recommended to stay away from these substances.
• Since hepatitis C and HIV coexistence is a common condition, screening should be done.
• Individuals with hepatitis C also have the right to live and work in the community. Let's respect these rights.
• Restriction of alcohol intake and fatty foods is recommended in patients with hepatitis C.

For more detailed information about hepatitis C, follow-up and treatment, you can contact Dr. Meral Sözen.