Hep C...have you got it?

[missparkles]

Sparkles wanted to discuss this problem as it does affect lots of people, not just addicts.

Hepatitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the liver. It can be caused by infection, exposure to alcohol, certain medications, chemicals, toxins and poisons. It can also be the result of other illnesses.

Hep C (HCV) formerly known as non-a non-b viral hepatitis, is a contagious disease that it transmitted via contact with blood or blood products. Blood transfusions and donor organs used to be a common mode of transport for this virus, that risk is now extremely rare as all donated blood products are thoroughly screened.
The most common cause of HCV transmission (today) is believed to be IV drug use.

Less common causes of HCV transmission include the following:

1) From mother to child at the time of childbirth.

2) Sexual intercourse with a person already infected with the virus. More sexual partners, especially in the high risk category, the greater the chance of becoming infected.

3)Needle stick injuries with HCV contaminated blood, more commonly experienced by health care workers.

You cannot get Hep C from living with, being near or touching someone with the virus. It can be transmitted if you share razors, nail clippers or anything else that may have come into contact with an infected persons blood. Never share needles, spoons or filters. Crack pipes and other paraphernalia used when smoking any drug should not be shared.

First thing is to find out if you have it or not, it's always sensible to get tested every so often, remember, not everyone will experience symptoms, some people will feel like they have a mild cold, others will feel nothing.

In the early stages of hepatitis C, the liver first becomes inflamed, or swollen. The virus is damaging your liver cells, which alerts your immune system to send in several of its defenses. While the liver tries to repair itself, scar tissue is forming at the same time. This is called fibrosis. Although most people with fibrosis feel perfectly fine, if a person does have early hep C symptoms from this fibrosis, he or she may:

1) Feel tired.

2) Feel nauseous, sick.

3) Not feeling like eating.

4) Have a fever, sometimes with cold like symptoms.

5) Experience a dull pain or feeling of heaviness on the right side, tenderness in the abdomen.

6) Dark coloured urine.

7) Possibly jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.



If you have any of these symptoms, if they continue for more than a few days, you should be checked out by a medical professional, if all of these symptoms are evident you need to contact your doctor immediately.

These symptoms typically develop 5-12 weeks after exposure to HCV. Some people describe the symptoms as being flulike. The symptoms may last a few weeks or months.

When Hepatitis is suspected a person will be advised to stop drinking immediately, if this could be a problem they will be given meds (usually benzo's) to prevent seizures, and told to reduce all unnecessary drug use. This allows the liver time to heal.

Your doctor will ask questions about symptoms, if there was any possible contact with someone infected with the virus and take blood. This will enable them to identify which strain of Hepatitis you have. They will also perform LFTs (liver function tests) when they take blood, to determine how well your liver is currently functioning. It also enables the specialist to work out the best treatment plan for your illness. These are performed at regular intervals, to check if any treatment is needed, and to gauge if treatment being given is working.

Some people who become infected with the virus clear it naturally within the first six months, the reason for this is as yet unknown, so frequent monitoring is still essential. If the specialist makes a definitive diagnosis and your LFTs are elevated you may need a liver biopsy (tissue removed from the liver) to give the doctor more accurate information on the stage of the disease. This is done under a local anaesthetic. After this procedure you will be given strong opiate meds and be required to lay on your right side for roughly 6 hours afterwards to prevent bleeding. For 24 hours after a liver biopsy you need to rest, no heavy lifting or physical exertion.
After all of the tests your doctor will decide what treatment, if any, is best for you.
These include:

Alpha-Interferon treatment.
Anti-viral drugs.

Certain medical conditions preclude patients from being suitable for Interferon treatment. Depression, certain mental health problems, active drug use, autoimmune diseases, and severe cirrhosis. But each patient will be assessed individually, if their doctor feels they will benefit from treatment and the risks are minimal, they may decide, with the written consent of the patient, to begin treatment.
Interferon treatment, or it's side effects, can be uncomfortable. Some say it's like a bad case of flu, others don't have much problem with it. In the last few years this treatment has been modified and any excessive symptoms can be dealt with by dose reduction. But your doctor will be able to deal with this. Contraception must be used whilst this treatment is being given (and for six months following treatment) as Interferon can affect the unborn child.

Some people cannot tolerate Interferon, or choose not to have it. There are alternative therapies available, with more becoming available. Antioxidants like milk thistle have been given extremely positive reviews, herbs like licorice and ginseng (which boost the body's immune system are also useful as complimentary treatments. Some use Chinese herbs ( in the UK you can get a script from your GP) and acupuncture. But always check with your doctor first, just because herbs are natural doesn't mean they're always helpful, and potency must always be checked. Always use reputable sources for any herbs or supplements as quality is important.


For severe HCV the only treatment is liver transplantation.

It's also possible to suffer with PVFS (Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome) after becoming infected with HCV, but remember it's usual to feel a little tired, perhaps low, when recovering, if this doesn't improve or gets worse mention it to the doctor treating your Hep C, they can deal with it.


Obviously a healthier lifestyle is important after diagnosis, getting enough sleep, exercise, eating well and generally taking care of yourself is a must. Your doctor will give complete instructions on what you can and cannot eat, drink or ingest. Avoiding alcohol and drugs that may damage your liver may help slow the progression of the disease.

The long term outlook for anyone with this disease is better, the earlier the initial diagnosis. Some go on to develop liver cancer, some live with HCV for a very long time and deal with it successfully. It's important to take care of yourself, remain positive (it can boost the immune system) and to make sure any problem is checked on immediately.
The Hepatitis Trust has lots of helpful info on it's site. They can also provide advice and support. Hep C is no longer the nightmare it was once thought to be. It's treatable (if diagnosed early enough) life can be managed and quite easily dealt with after diagnosis of Hep c.


Hepatitis C Trust.
http://www.hepctrust.org.uk/


This post is in no way meant to be used as a diagnostic tool, just a rough guide for anyone who may have, or is worried they may have HCV. If there's anything Sparkles has forgotten, anything that might help with any aspect of this disease, please feel free to add it. This info is taken from her own experience and literature she's been given. Always check any advice with a qualified doctor.

Take care.
Sparkles.

Reputation Comments on this post:

	very informative post on a important topic.
	This should be made into a sticky because even a non IV drug user can get Hep C. Vital information here