Hepatitis C

<p>Hepatitis C is a serious infectious disease that affects the liver and is caused by HCV (hepatitis C) infection. The disease can progress from a mild discomfort lasting a few weeks to a serious and variable lifelong illness. The hepatitis C virus does not cause disease in everyone it infects; some people remain carriers only. These people should take extra care not to transmit the disease to others and should be careful about blood transfusions and the use of tools such as needles, syringes, toothbrushes, razor blades, nail clippers and avoid shared use.</p> <p>Hepatitis C, which is usually transmitted through blood, can be "acute" or "chronic". Acute hepatitis C is a short-term disease that develops within 6 months after the virus is introduced into the body. Chronic hepatitis C is a lifelong disease that can lead to serious health problems such as cirrhosis and liver cancer and even death. Once the hepatitis C virus settles in the liver, it continues to exist for years without any symptoms, multiplying and damaging the liver. Years later, this damage to the liver can manifest itself in diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.</p> <p>The disease has its own symptoms. Approximately 80% of patients with acute hepatitis C have no symptoms, while the remaining 20% experience high fever, weakness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, darkening of urine color, jaundice and joint pain. Most people with chronic hepatitis C have no symptoms. However, patients may have liver damage. In most cases, the disease does not show any symptoms until the liver disease is advanced.</p> <p>The long-term effects of the disease are varied. Most patients develop chronic hepatitis C and a large proportion of these patients also develop chronic liver disease. While 5 - 20% develop cirrhosis within 20 - 30 years, 1 - 5% of patients die from liver cancer or cirrhosis.</p> <p>The aim of hepatitis C treatment, for which there is no vaccine yet, is to prevent liver damage and the development of cirrhosis and to eliminate the virus. The most common treatment is pill therapy. The disease can be kept under control with regular examinations by specialist physicians. During the course of the disease, people should pay attention to a regular and balanced diet, consult their physician before taking any medication and be careful about alcohol consumption.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Updated: Jun 6, 2022, 15:44</p> <p>This content has been published with the approval of Atakent Health Group Medical Editorial Board. The content published on the page is prepared with scientific data at the time of registration and is for informational purposes only. There is no content on curative health care. Please consult your physician for accurate diagnosis and treatment.</p>