Running head: Hepatitis C 1

The Importance of Knowing You Have Hepatitis C

Olivia G. Bowman

Health Sciences

Huntington North High School

October 7, 2016
Hepatitis C 2

The Importance of Knowing You Have Hepatitis C

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2014 it was estimated that

2.7-3.9 million people in the United States are living with chronic hepatitis C. 30,500 cases have

been reported of a patient having acute hepatitis C. Many individuals that are infected do not

know they have even contracted the disease. This in turn can cause many more serious problems.

Hepatitis C might simply just mean that the liver can become inflamed, but long-term liver

problems can lead to death. Inquiring information of Hepatitis is crucial in receiving the proper

care. Learning about the history, signs and symptoms, treatment and diagnostics, as well self-

management, is the best way to determine what is needed to life a long and healthy life with the

disease.

Overview and History

There are three identified types of hepatitis: hepatitis A, caused by HAV which is caused

by the contamination of food or water, it is only acute, hepatitis B caused by HBV is very similar

is hepatitis C in how it is contracted, it can be acute or chronic, like Hepatitis C. Both Hepatitis A

and B are both prevented by vaccines. Hepatitis C however, does not have a prevention shot so

there is not really a good way to protect against the disease. All types of Hepatitis have similar

signs and symptoms. Many things can cause hepatitis these include; Toxins, certain drugs, some

diseases, heavy alcohol use, as well as different bacterial and viral infections like mononucleosis

(WebMD, 2005-2016).

Hepatitis C is spread through blood and body fluids of a person who is infected. This can

be done by sharing needles or syringes, being born to a mother who had it, having sexual contact

with infected person. The risk of getting the disease from sexual contact are low but the risk

increases for people who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage
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in rough sex, or is infected with HIV (WebMD, 2005-2016). People that should be tested include

those who have received blood from a donor who had the disease, has injected drugs, has had a

blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992. Other people who should decide to be

tested would be individuals who have used a blood product used to treat clotting problems before

1987, were born between 1945-1965, have been on long-term kidney dialysis, have HIV, have a

mother who had hepatitis C, or have ever been in prison. Experts also recommend never

donating blood or organs if you have ever tested positive for hepatitis C (Mayo Clinic, 2016).

As stated before hepatitis C can be either acute or chronic. Acute hepatitis C is short term

and occurs in the first 6 months after the patient is exposed. It can last anywhere from 2 weeks to

3 months. 75 85 percent of people who have acute hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis C is long term. It only occurs when the hepatitis C virus remains in the body. It

can last a life time and can lead to serious liver problems. Hepatitis has thought to go back

thousands of years ago. There were many jaundice epidemics, which is when the skin turns

yellowish usually due to a condition involving the liver. Throughout the American Civil war

there were approximatively 40,000 cases and at the end of World War 2, 16 million

(Universidade Federal do Amazonas, 2010). Hepatitis C was discovered in 1989, Hepatitis A in

1973, Hepatitis B in 1967. Hepatitis however has been said to be discovered in 1963 (CEVHAP,

2012).

Signs and Symptoms

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention state that 70 to 80 percent of individuals

do not have symptoms of hepatitis C. If symptoms do occur, the average times is around 6-7

weeks after exposure. The virus can even spread if a person does not have symptoms. The acute

Hepatitis C symptoms can include fever which could possible lead to fatigue as well as joint and
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muscle pain. Nausea, another condition, can advance to vomiting which could potentially cause

stomach or abdominal pain which could then cause loss of appetite and weight loss. Jaundice is

also another sign where the skin becomes yellow and leads to darkened urine. Other signs and

symptoms can include bleeding and bruising, itchy skin, swelling in legs, weight loss, fluid

buildup in abdomen known as ascites which is caused by liver scaring, and spider angiomas

(Mayo Clinic, 2016).

The scary fact, Chronic Hepatitis C has no symptoms but if a person is infected for many

years the liver may become damaged. Chronic Hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis which is a slow

disease where the liver tissue becomes replaced with scar tissue leading to liver failure. Liver

cancer can also be caused by Hepatitis C (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016).

Which is why early detection is very important even though it is hard for individuals to even

know they have the disease.

The different types of medication used the treat Hepatitis C can lead to various signs and

symptoms as well. These of course, like many other medications, can cause things including flu-

like symptoms. Fatigue, hair loss, low blood counts, trouble thinking, nervousness, and

depression are other possibilities (WebMD, 2005-2016).

Treatments and Diagnostics

As far as diagnosing Hepatitis C goes, there is only one way to know a patient is positive

for the disease. This is through various blood test. Even though blood test are required to identify

the condition liver damage test could lead to certain blood tests including one for Hepatitis C

(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Some tests for liver damage include: MRE

(Magnetic Resonance Elastography) which is a noninvasive biopsy, Transient elastography is a

type of ultrasound used to estimate stiffness of the liver, and liver biopsy ultrasound guidance
Hepatitis C 5

can also be done, this involves inserting a needle into the abdominal wall to remove a small

sample of liver tissue to test (Mayo Clinic, 2016).

WebMD states that Acute Hepatitis C usually clears on its own and sometimes even

without treatment. There are various antiviral medications. These medicines are usually

combination drugs for example Elbasvir added to Grazoprevir which ends up being Zepatier.

Sovaldi or Sofosbuvir added to Ledipasvir equals Harvoni. Many improvements have been made

in treatment options in the past years (Lyon, 2014).

Other types of treatment can be as simple as eating a specific diet. Some can be more

difficult like sometimes liver transplants are needed. It is stated that approximately 15 to 25

percent of people who get hepatitis C will clear the virus from their bodies (Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 2016). Hepatitis C is the only chronic disease that is said to be curable

(Lyon, 2014).

Prevention and Self-management

Unfortunately, hepatitis C is the only type of hepatitis that does not have a vaccination for

prevention. Other ways to prevent hepatitis C is to use condoms every time sex takes place and

do not share personal items like razors. Be cautious if getting a tattoo, body piercing, or even a

manicure because the equipment could have another persons blood on it (Watson, 2005-2016).

Also, donating blood or tissue is not encouraged if infected, injecting drugs can also lead to a

person contracting hepatitis C (Mayo Clinc , 2016).

There are many things that someone who has hepatitis C can do to help with their

disease. Being able to stop drinking alcohol is very important. Drinking alcoholic beverages can

actually speed up liver disease even if it is in small amounts. Avoiding medications that causes

liver damage is also recommended. Eating right is always important in management of disease.
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Eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and lean proteins are very good.

Try to avoid raw and uncooked oysters and other shellfish these could cause serious infections

(Mayo Clinc , 2016). WebMD also suggests that people who contract the disease should also stay

hydrated. Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day is the suggested amount. Individuals should

also manage their weight. Being overweight can cause a fatty lever which leads to cirrhosis.

They also prescribe a lot of exercise. This is important for patients to maintain their strength

because liver diseases can cause loss of muscle mass. 2 hours and 30 minutes is a applauded time

of exercising every week. Individuals with hepatitis C should also be cautious of supplements

used for weight loss and muscle building. These could be dangerous and some have been linked

to liver failure. Finally, trying to eliminate stress is also very beneficial. Many people with

hepatitis C are worried about their infection. Relieving tension can help this stress that

individuals experience.

Interview with Joyce Greene

Sitting down with Joyce Greene to ask her questions about her experience with the

disease has proved to be beneficial into knowing what others experience. She was very fortunate

and to this day has no damage to her liver. The first question was simple, how she had contracted

the disease. When she was a teenager she had gotten mononucleosis. The doctors believed that

she had gotten mononucleosis from lack of sleep as well as not eating enough. According to

medicine.net, mononucleosis can cause liver inflammation. At the time however they knew that

it was hepatitis, due to the symptoms which included jaundice, but the strands of hepatitis C were

not known at the time period. It was not until later in her life that she learned through a blood test

she had gotten hepatitis C from her case of mononucleosis as a child. The next question, How

long did you have hepatitis C, or do you still have it to this day? Her answer, she was bed
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ridden for 6 weeks. WebMD says that hepatitis C can last anywhere from 2 weeks to 3 months.

The disease however has not really affected her life in a huge way like normal cases do. Mrs.

Greene cannot give blood even though she does not have the condition any more, it is a safety

precaution for others. She was also anemic when she was pregnant, doctors believe that anemia

was caused by her hepatitis C. She had also lost her job at the restaurant she worked at, at the

time. On the plus side, Joyce has not needed to take any medications for her hepatitis C and has

not suffered any liver issue since. She also has not needed to change her diet. She became victim

of the disease in the summer of 1961. Today, she is doing great, and is glad that her case of

hepatitis C was not as bad as it could possibly be (Greene, 2016).

Conclusion

Some people who contract hepatitis C get lucky like Joyce Greene. Others however do

not. It is vital to find out, to what degree, a patient has the disease. Being able to know the signs

and symptoms is extremely important and preventing the disease is also helpful. Still, if a person

has the hepatitis C it is equally important to know how to treat and maintain it. Death can be a

cause of any disease, lets not let it be due to hepatitis C. Determine you have the disease and

you can prevent it.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016, May 23). Heaptitis C FAQs for the Public.

Retrieved September 2016, from Viral Hepatitis- Hepatitis C Information:

http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htm#cFAQ61

CEVHAP. (2012). A Brief History of Hepatitis. Retrieved September 2016, from CEVHAP

Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific:

http://www.cevhap.org/index.php/en/about-viral-hepatitis/a-brief-history-of-hepatitis

Greene, J. (2016, September 10). Living with Hepatitis C. (O. Bowman, Interviewer)

Lyon, F. (2014, Feburary ). A brief history of hepatitis milestones. Retrieved September 2016,

from US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24373076

Mayo Clinc . (2016, July 26). Self-management. Retrieved September 2016, from Hepatits C:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-c/manage/ptc-20207434

Mayo Clinic. (2016, July 26). Overview, Symptoms and Causes. Diagnosis, Treatment, Self-

management. Retrieved September 2016, from Hepatitis C:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-c/home/ovc-20207365

Universidade Federal do Amazonas, M. A. (2010, May-June). History of viral hepatits. Retrieved

September 2016, from US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20563505

Watson, S. (2005-2016). 7 Self-care Tips to Manage Hepatitis C. (M. M. Arefa Cassoobhoy,

Editor) Retrieved September 2016, from Hepatitis Health Center:

http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/features/self-care
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WebMD. (2005-2016). Hepatitis C Facts, Symptoms, Causes, Treaments. Retrieved Sep 2016,

from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/hepc-guide/digestive-diseases-hepatitis-

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