|
Hepatitis C
What is it?
Hepatitis C is a specific type of hepatitis caused by the virus that has been designated as hepatitis C virus (abbreviated as HCV). Formerly known as non-A, non-B hepatitis, hepatitis C is different from other hepatitis viruses because it changes or mutates constantly and unpredictably. Mutation not only makes HCV difficult for individuals to fight, it also makes finding a treatment or a vaccination extremely difficult.
A diagnosis of acute hepatitis C is rare because its symptoms, which typically are very mild, may not be present at all during the acute phase of infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 80% of individuals who are infected with acute HCV do not even know they have it. If symptoms are noticed, they are frequently mistaken for a case of flu. Whether or not they are noticed, symptoms of acute hepatitis C infection usually begin approximately 7 to 10 weeks after infection with HCV, although they can take as little as 2 weeks or as long as 20 weeks to develop. This is known as the incubation period, the time from infection with HCV to the onset of symptoms. During this time the virus multiplies and attacks the liver. As a result, the liver becomes inflamed, tender, and swollen. Acute hepatitis C is generally considered to last for 6 months or less.
About 70% of newly infected individuals who have hepatitis C will progress to the chronic or long-lasting phase. Chronic hepatitis C is defined as hepatitis C that lasts longer than 6 months, and potentially can take 20 years or longer to develop into cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. Often caused by long-term alcoholism, cirrhosis occurs when normal liver cells are replaced by non-functioning scar tissue and fibers. Gradually, the liver loses the ability to break down toxins in the blood, regulate blood clotting, and produce essential substances such as bile.
|
What is it?
