The treatment of hepatitis C is an actual problem, which has been solved for a long time by scientists all over the world. Every year the number of cases is steadily increasing, so every sane person should know the basic information about this disease, the methods of its detection, treatment and prevention.
What is hepatitis C?
According to statistics, in many cases, hepatitis C occurs in women of young age, and pathology is detected randomly during the diagnosis of the organism for other reasons. Due to the fact that the disease "creeps up" unnoticed, flows with unexpressed signs, gradually causing damage with severe consequences, it is called "affectionate killer."
Hepatitis C is a pathology of viral origin, in which liver cells are primarily affected. In addition, the disease causes metabolic disturbances, in part attacks other internal organs and systems: kidneys, lungs, peripheral nervous system, hematopoiesis, immune system. The causative agent is a virus from the family of flaviviruses, which tends to constantly change. There are about a dozen of its genotypes, and in the body of a sick person, due to the high capacity of the pathogen to mutation, up to 40 mutant strains can be simultaneously counted.
Hepatitis C - transmission routes
The source of infection is a person suffering from an acute or chronic form of the disease, as well as a carrier of infection. Says hepatitis C mainly through the blood and its components. In addition, in a small number of women, long ill, the virus is found in menstrual blood, vaginal discharge, saliva, lymph. Often, parenteral infection occurs when there is insufficient compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards in such cases:
- medical manipulation, coupled with the use of needles, syringes, scalpels;
- hemodialysis, transfusion of donor blood, transplantation of donor organs;
- multiple use of one needle by addicts;
- dental services;
- acupuncture sessions;
- services of hairdressers;
- manicure, pedicure in the salon;
- tattooing;
- piercing procedures;
- use of someone else's toothbrush, razor and other personal items.
In addition, there is a sexual way of transmission of infection, the risk of which increases with frequent changes in sexual partners, unprotected sex, aggressive sexual intercourse, sex during menstruation. With regard to the transmission of infection from mother to fetus during pregnancy and childbirth, this probability exists, but it is low and in most cases is associated with caesarean section. Exclusion of contamination through dishes, food, water, during conversation, coughing, kissing and embracing.
Hepatitis C - incubation period
When the hepatitis C virus enters the body, the time interval between the moment of infection and the appearance of the first symptoms can vary and varies depending on the number of penetrated cells of the pathogen, the functioning of the human immune system, the general state of the organism, and so on. The shortest incubation period can be about two weeks, the longest - 26 weeks. Often this period is about 50 days.
How many live with hepatitis C?
Chronic hepatitis, which is detected in advanced stages and has not received proper timely therapy, inevitably leads to cirrhosis of the liver. In the absence of organ transplantation, this causes a lethal outcome 20-30 years after infection. In cases where a person has bad habits, leads an unhealthy lifestyle, suffers from other pathologies, this period is significantly reduced.
If the disease is diagnosed in an unopened stage, correct treatment of hepatitis C is carried out, all medical prescriptions are performed, then the probability of healing with restoration of liver functions is great. Taking into account modern technologies, recovery rates tend to be 60-90%, that is, with successful treatment, the life expectancy of the infected is equal to that predicted for the majority of the population.
Hepatitis C - symptoms
The first signs of hepatitis C in many cases can be mistaken for the manifestation of a banal respiratory viral infection, since they include the following symptoms:
- slight increase in body temperature;
- headache;
- musculo-articular pain;
- general weakness;
- deterioration of appetite;
- nausea;
- discomfort in the abdomen.
In many patients, even these manifestations are absent, so they are not aware of the disease for a long time. After a few weeks, such signs of hepatitis C are likely:
- darkening of urine;
- clarification of feces;
- yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes;
- skin rash and itching;
- yellow coating on the tongue ;
- discomfort in the right hypochondrium.
Chronic hepatitis can be suspected by such nonspecific disturbing signs:
- constant fatigue;
- weakening of intellectual efficiency;
- increase in the volume of the stomach against a background of general weight loss;
- mood swings, irritability.
Hepatitis C - Diagnosis
Identify the presence of infection in the body can be, after a laboratory blood test using one of the following methods:
- polymerase chain reaction;
- immunoenzymatic method.
In addition, to detect hepatitis C, it is possible to carry out analyzes independently. Through a home rapid test, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus is determined. This requires puncturing the finger, collecting a small amount of blood, applying it to a special strip and adding a reagent (all you need is included). The result becomes known ten minutes later.
If the analysis on hepatitis confirms the disease, studies are assigned to determine the stage of the pathology, assess the degree of liver damage, identify complications, the main ones of which are:
- general blood analysis;
- hepatic assays ;
- coagulogram;
- Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
- liver biopsy .
Hepatitis C - treatment
How to treat hepatitis C, according to what scheme, determines the doctor after carrying out diagnostic procedures and determining the genotype of the pathogen. Patients should take into account that the treatment of hepatitis C is long and costly. There are special free state programs for the treatment of this pathology, which can be used by some categories of patients. Therapy is aimed at removing the virus from the body, strengthening immunity, preventing complications.
Is hepatitis C cured?
Doctors say that it is possible to completely heal patients with a diagnosis of "viral hepatitis C" if the disease is detected in time. When the pathology progresses over several years, the chances of recovery are small, but even in these cases it is possible to achieve remission, maintain liver function, prevent the development of serious complications. It should be noted that about 20% of cases of infection with this virus are self-healing, as evidenced by the detection of antibodies to the causative agent of the infection without the presence of viral cells in the body.
Hepatitis C Medication
Most recently used drugs for hepatitis C for the elimination of the pathogen included only injectable drugs based on interferon-α (Roferon-A, Intron-A, Pegasys, Pegintron, Infergen), which help protect cells from penetration of pathogens, inhibit the growth of viruses, stimulate immune system to fight infection. Their use is useful in combination with drugs based on ribavirin (Rebetol, Arviron), the mechanism of action of which is associated with stopping the process of dividing the viruses, leading to their death.
Treatment with these means of hepatitis C has many limitations and side effects, it is not suitable for all genotypes of the causative agent of the infection. Several years ago, a breakthrough in pathology therapy was recorded, when after long-term studies new drugs were registered for hepatitis C of direct action:
- Sofosbuvir;
- Daklataswir;
- Ladipasvir.
Since then, new treatment schemes have been developed depending on the genotype of the virus, giving excellent results without serious adverse reactions. In addition to antiviral therapy, the following groups of drugs are prescribed for treatment:
- hepatoprotectors (Phosphogliv, Ursonan, Karsil);
- immunomodulators (Timogen, Zadaxin, Derinat);
- vitamins and trace elements.
The prescribed treatment will help only if the following main recommendations are observed:
- Full refusal of alcohol and smoking.
- Minimizing stressful situations.
- Eating according to diet.
- Normal physical activity.
Hepatitis C - treatment with folk remedies
Any folk remedies for hepatitis C can only serve as ancillary medicines and they can be used only after consultation with the doctor. Basically, folk doctors recommend using different drugs based on medicinal herbs and other natural components that favorably affect liver function.
Effective recipe
Ingredients:
- corn stigmas - 1 table. a spoon;
- water - 150 ml.
Preparation and use
- Bring water to a boil and fill it with raw materials.
- Insist two hours, drain.
- Take three spoons for half an hour before meals 3 times a day.
Hepatitis C - treatment, diet
Those who have hepatitis C, the diet is mandatory. Diet in this disease should correspond to table number 5 (according to Pevzner), restricting the consumption of fats, excluding fried, salted, smoked, pickled dishes, canned food. In addition, patients should increase the amount of fluid consumed to 2-3 liters per day.
Hepatitis C - prevention
Vaccines that protect against the disease, yet, so the prevention of hepatitis C is to avoid the ways of transmission of this infection. To prevent possible contact with blood and other biological fluids of sick people, you should stop using other people's hygiene products, use the services of those beauty salons and medical institutions where sanitary norms are observed, and avoid accidental sexual intercourse.