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Hepatitis C Causes and Risks:
The hepatitis C virus causes most cases of hepatitis after a blood transfusion. Exposure to substances that are toxic to the liver may be a cause. Risk factors include recent blood transfusion, environmental or occupational exposure to blood, and intravenous drug abuse . The incidence is 1 out of 10,000 people. Other hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus.
Prevention:
Avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. (Note: blood donors are screened for the virus, but this is not 100% accurate)
Avoid sexual contact with a person infected with hepatitis C. Practice safer sex behaviors .
Symptoms:
Signs and Tests:
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for acute hepatitis . Rest may be recommended during the acute phase of the disease when the symptoms are most severe. People with acute hepatitis should avoid alcohol and any toxic to the liver (hepatotoxic) substances. Chronic hepatitis may be treated by alpha-interferon in selected individuals.
Support Groups:
The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - support group .
Prognosis:
The acute infection usually abates within 16 weeks after the onset of symptoms. About 50% of people infected with hepatitis C will develop chronic hepatitis .
Complications:
Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms of hepatitis develop.
Also call if hepatitis C symptoms do not resolve within 16 weeks.
This illustration shows the major organs of the digestive system. Their relative sizes and positioning in the body are also demonstrated.
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