Hepatitis C
Inspired by https://www.stdtesting.org/hepatitis-c-testing/ .
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus is transmitted when you come into contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids, such as blood. In fact, the most common mode of transmission is when needles are shared during drug use. During this process, blood contact results in the spread of the virus. According to STDtesting.org, close to 3.5 million people in the US are infected with Hepatitis C, but are completely unaware of their condition. And this is because the incubation period for the virus can be very long, ranging anywhere from two weeks to six months. During this time, the virus can exist in the body without causing any symptoms; people who are unaware of their infection can, therefore, unknowingly transfer the virus to others, such as through sexual contact. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. With patients rarely experiencing symptoms, proper testing is crucial.
A hepatitis C test uses a blood sample to determine whether you are infected. In most cases, the blood is drawn by a medical professional. However, there are also at-home tests, where you collect a sample of your own blood and send it in. Either way, getting tested is especially important because it can take years for symptoms to appear. The CDC also provides a list of individuals who should consider getting testing, such as those who are often exposed to blood or those with liver damage. This is because when the hepatitis C virus persists in the body for more than six months, the disease is referred to as chronic hepatitis C. At this stage in the process, people are at high risk for liver damage and diseases.
Like mentioned before, the hepatitis C test requires a blood sample. They look for antibodies in your blood to determine if you have already been infected because your body produces antibodies when it is trying to fight off a foreign infection. So, even if you end up ridding your body of the viruses, the antibodies still exist in your blood for a very long time. Even if you are not still infected, this means the test can be positive. At that point, further analysis of blood samples will reveal whether you have hepatitis C.
The treatment process is fairly simple. According to STDtesting.org, hepatitis C goes away on its own 25% of the time, so no intervention is needed until the six month mark. At this stage, if the infection persists, then the label has changed to chronic hepatitis C. The individual is provided treatment and is often cured using oral medications. In most cases, patients are usually cured within 10 weeks. But although the treatment process may seem simple and straightforward, that does not mean that cautionary measures should not be taken. It is always better to avoid entering the chronic stage of any illness, because the effects can be deadly.
Overall, hepatitis C is a serious disease and global health concern. The viruses that jump from person to person, without showing any indication of their presence through symptoms, can arguably be considered the most deadly. Individuals believe they are healthy and then fail to take the necessary precautions when interacting with others. In addition, reaching the chronic stage puts people at a higher risk of developing liver diseases like liver cancer and cirrhosis. Preventative measures include avoiding contact with bodily fluids and getting tested, just to be on the safe side.
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