Let us talk about the Hepatitis C virus!

The Hepatitis C virus is a liver infection caused by a virus. It spreads when an individual comes into contact with infected blood. In 2018, they estimated that 2.4 million people are living with the hepatitis C virus in the United states. And, in just 2016, they estimated that there were more than 41 000 people were newly infected by the virus in the US. And the number increases every year. Nowadays in the US, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus due to drug injections using needles or syringes. The hepatitis C virus is also sexually transmitted. Although the cases can be rare. The hepatitis C virus’ symptoms are not the same for everyone. Some people don’t even have any symptoms. Certain people have the acute hepatitis C virus and it is generally asymptomatic or have a mild clinical condition. For 50% of those people, the body will clear the virus by itself within a few weeks, while the other 50% will suffer from chronic infection. This will become a lifelong ailment with symptoms such as joint pain, feeling fatigued, fever, yellow skin or eyes, no appetite, nausea, stomach pain and even vomiting. For most individual living with this virus, one of the best treatments is to receive a liver transplant. Moreover, if you are an individual who are 18 years old and older, have a history of injecting drugs, HIV positive, you are on hemodialysis or with abnormal liver tests or liver disease, you should get tested. There are no vaccines currently for prevent hepatitis C virus, however, it can be cured through treatment in a period of eight to twelve weeks if that treatment is done properly. Additionally, it is strongly recommended to avoid smoking, alcohol and any homeopathic treatment during that time and after. So, folks let us protect ourselves, our loved ones and let’s get tested!

Nehemie Boursiquot, Hepatitis Coordinator at Monarch Health Services, Inc. She prides herself in guiding people towards improving their being for a better tomorrow.

Additional information: In this article, we are talking about the hepatitis C virus caused by a virus and not about the chemical hepatitis C which is caused by drugs, alcohol or medication.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/sdfe/pdf/download/eid/1-s2.0-S1089326105000395/first-page-pdf https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6914a2.htm https://www.cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/2018/hepatitis-c-prevalence-estimates-press-release.html