Hepatitis C
Alternate Names : Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis
What can be done to prevent the disease?
Because the hepatitis C virus mutates or changes frequently, a vaccine is
currently not available. This is also the reason that injection of
immunoglobulin provides no immunity or protection either. Avoiding high-risk behaviors and screening blood and organ
donor supplies play a big role in prevention of this disease. Sharing personal hygiene items and material potentially
contaminated with blood is clearly risky. Practicing safer sex can help prevent sexual transmission.
Even when hepatitis C is diagnosed early, it is difficult to keep it from
progressing to chronic liver disease. It is important to avoid unnecessary
drugs, especially
alcohol
.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Chronic hepatitis C occurs in at least 60% to 70% of the people who develop
acute hepatitis C. Individuals with moderate chronic active hepatitis C have
roughly a 50% chance of developing severe
liver disease. Severe chronic active hepatitis has a high
likelihood of
progressing to
cirrhosis over several
years to several decades. People with cirrhosis may develop liver cancer and die from either of these two
diseases.
What are the risks to others?
Hepatitis C is highly contagious and can be spread from person to person by
blood products, sexual contact, and sharing personal items.
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