Hepatitis C

Description Hepatitis C is a vi...

Description

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that damages the liver. The virus is usually spread through contact with infected blood. Most infections occur due to sharing of injection drug equipment (needles) and can also occur by having sexual contact with an infected person. Hepatitis C can also be transmitted from infected mother to child during pregnancy or birth. Most people have a brief period of very minor symptoms and don't realize that they were infected. Later they may develop chronic (long term) inflammation of the liver. Individuals at most risk are those workers exposed to blood (healthcare workers) and individuals who practice unprotected sex or share needles.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, nausea and abdominal pain. Some people experience jaundice (yellow coloring of the skin and eyes).

Tests

Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment

Workup:
A complete history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests will be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), Hepatitis profile, Activated partial thromboplastin (aPTT or PTT), Prothrombin test (PT, INR)

Specialists:
Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Family Practice, Pediatric Gastroenterology

Treatment

Until recently, there was no cure for chronic hepatitis C. But new antiviral drugs, such as simeprevir (Olysio), sofosbuvir (Sovaldi), sofosbuvir-ledipasvir combination (Harvoni), suggest cure for some may be possible. In some instances, the infection causes liver failure and those individuals may be considered for a liver transplant. Hepatitis A and B vaccines will most likely be recommended to prevent further damage to the liver.