Topic : Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease of liver which is caused by Hepatitis C virus. It causes the inflammation of liver. Initial attack of HCV converts in chronic hepatitis in 85% of the infected people. The chronic hepatitis leads to scarring of liver called “cirrhosis” which finally leads to liver failure, liver cancer and other complications.

Hepatitis c virus is a RNA virus. It has six different genotypes. Though these differences are very minute but enough to produce hepatitis C. These different types are hepatitis 1a, 1b and similarly hepatitis 2 and 3 are also there. In U.S most of the people are affected by hepatitis 1 genotype and in Pakistan hepatitis 2 and 3 prevalent.

In U.S initially the number of people affected by HCV is 17,000 annually. In Pakistan rate of affected persons are lesser than U.S. it usually affect the people ranging from years of age.

75% of the affected persons do not show the symptoms. Those who show symptoms include Fatigue loss of appetite aches of muscles yellowing of eyes and skin loss of liver functions

1. “needle” or syringe 2. Through blood transfusion 3. From infected mother to child 4. Through sexual intercourse with infected person 5. Usage of infected instruments to a healthy person

1. Screen test 2. Recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) 3. Direct PCR for HCV

Pegylated “interferon-alfha” with guanosine nucleoside analogue “ribavirin” is used for HCV. The duration and the dosage depends upon the type of viral genotype.

1.Prevention awareness program 2.Avoid from used syringe. 3.Adopt safe needle-usage/disposal techniques. 4.Avoid multiple sexual partners. 5.Avoid sharing razor with other. 6.Screening test for HCV must be done before transfusion of blood and its product.