Hepatitis C is a disease that remains silent until the later stages of the disease. This makes it very difficult to catch the disease in its early stages. This is because it is usually asymptomatic or may show minor symptoms such as fatigue and exhaustion, which are observed in many diseases.
This disease is silent until the later stages. It is therefore very difficult to catch it in its early stages. In general, there are no specific symptoms or it shows minor symptoms that can be experienced in many ailments such as fatigue, fatigue, difficulty digesting.
How is hepatitis C transmitted?
Hepatitis C is transmitted from person to person through blood. It is more common in people who are given blood and blood products and people who use drugs. In our country, blood banks carry out Hepatitis C examinations in the blood they receive in the form of donations and procedures are carried out with disposable needles and medical supplies, which reduces the risk of transmission. It is debated whether the disease is sexually transmitted. It is accepted that polygamy increases the risk of hepatitis C. It is not transmitted in the home, workplace and other social contacts. The prevalence of the disease in Turkey is reported to be 0.3%. In other words, it is observed in 3 out of 1000 people.
How is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?
Hepatitis C is different from other hepatitis and does not usually cause jaundice. Therefore, it is not easy to recognize the disease in its early stages. In 30 percent of people who have hepatitis C, complete recovery is seen, while in 70 percent, the disease becomes chronic. Cirrhosis can develop in 21-31 percent of people who become chronic. In 1-2 percent of these, liver cancer occurs. However, these developing conditions occur over many years. After the early stage of the disease, its progression to a chronic state can be observed after an average of 10 years. The development time of cirrhosis is approximately 20 years, and the development time of liver cancer is approximately 30 years. So hepatitis C is a severe disease. The risk of developing cirrhosis is very high in individuals over the age of 40 who consume alcohol.
Hepatitis C Treatment
When hepatitis C is caught early, the chances of cure are very high. These people are usually detected when they are examined for different reasons or when they donate blood and it is not clear at what stage of the disease they are in. In order to observe the course of the disease, various examinations and tests are examined by performing liver biopsies if deemed appropriate. The measures to be taken and the treatment methods to be applied are planned in the light of these findings.
How to Prevent Hepatitis C Virus?
Hepatitis C does not yet have an approved vaccine. Studies in this field are ongoing. We can list the methods of protection from this disease as follows;
- The use of blood and blood products that can be used in sick people by examining them for HCV
- Paying attention to general and personal hygiene
- Not using tools such as needles and razors used by other people
- Avoiding unsafe sexual contact
- Tools used in procedures such as tattooing, manicure, pedicure, piercing, which can damage the integrity of the skin, should be clean.
What Should Hepatitis C Carriers Pay Attention To?
People who carry the hepatitis C virus may be carriers even if they do not have symptoms of the disease. Therefore, they should be cautious at the point of contact with other individuals. Sick people should go to specialist control regularly. Having liver function tests twice a year, avoiding alcohol consumption, getting support from a specialist if they have to use medication for any reason are among the measures to be taken.
