Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Hcv Infection

Overview

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an infection of the liver caused by hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C virus is the most common virus causing hepatitis. Chronic hepatitis C infection is serious problem as it causes liver cirrhosis.

Signs and Symptoms

Easy bruising and bleeding, Loss of appetite, Weight loss, Dark urine, Joint pain, Weakness, Fatigue, Confusion and drowsiness, Ascites, Spider angiomas (spider-like blood vessels on skin), Jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin), Itchy skin

Common Causes

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) spread through contaminated blood

Risk Factors

Sharing of needles and syringes during intravenous drug use, Unprotected sex with people infected with hepatitis C virus, Having multiple sex partners, Occupations that expose you to blood or needle stick injuries, Babies born to mothers with hepatitis C infection, People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Renal dialysis patients

Investigation Techniques

Medical history, Physical examination, Blood tests to look for signs of hepatitis C infection and liver damage, Transient elastography is a special form of liver ultrasound that shows the extent of liver damage, Liver biopsy to look for liver damage, Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to look for liver scarring

Treatment and Prevention

Antiviral medications, Liver transplant, Can be prevented by having protected sex, avoiding the use of illicit drugs, being cautious about tattoing and body piercing, do not share personal items