Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver, often progressing silently over decades to serious complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer. Fortunately, remarkable advancements in treatment have transformed this chronic disease from a life sentence into a curable condition.
What Causes Hepatitis C?
The root cause is the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), a bloodborne pathogen. Transmission occurs when blood from an infected person enters the bloodstream of another. The most common routes include:
Sharing Needles/Syringes: This is the primary mode of transmission today, particularly among people who inject drugs.
Unscreened Blood: Before widespread screening began in the early 1990s, blood transfusions were a major cause.
Unsafe Healthcare Practices: Reuse of medical equipment, especially needles, in unregulated settings.
Other Blood-to-Blood Contact: Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes, or mother-to-child transmission during birth.
Hepatitis C is not spread through casual contact like hugging, kissing, or sharing food.
Prevention: The Best Defense
Since there is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C, prevention relies on avoiding blood-to-blood contact:
Never Share Needles: Use only sterile, single-use injection equipment.
Practice Safe Body Art: Choose licensed facilities that use sterile needles for tattoos and piercings.
Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Do not share razors, nail clippers, or toothbrushes.
The CDC also recommends one-time screening for all adults aged 18–79 and periodic testing
for those with ongoing risk factors. Early detection is key to prevention and successful treatment.
Treatment: The Cure is Here
The great news is that Hepatitis C is highly curable. Modern treatment involves Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) medications.
These oral therapies are taken for a short period, typically 8 to 12 weeks, and cure over 95% of people with few side effects. Curing HCV prevents further liver damage, reduces the risk of liver cancer, and stops transmission to others.
If you believe you have any risk factors, talk to your healthcare provider about getting tested. Knowing your status is the first, most powerful step in protecting your health and defeating the Hepatitis C epidemic.
Would you like me to expand on the Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) medications used to cure Hepatitis C?
No comments:
Post a Comment