When a doctor uses the term Hepatitis C or HCV, what comes to mind? Many people have little to no knowledge of what it is. Is it deadly? Is there a cure? Is it a virus or disease? There are many questions that enter the mind because there are many concerns associated with an unknown illness. Several people wonder if the virus is similar to hepatitis A or B because there has been education throughout the years that provides more awareness surrounding the two known viruses, but it is discovered there
Hepatitis C has been referred to as a "Silent Epidemic," since it usually progresses slowly over many years. Most people who are infected with hepatitis C are not aware of any noticeable symptoms for as long as one to two decades after they are infected. In fact, by the time symptoms appear, the virus has probably already begun to damage the liver. If the liver is injured and stops functioning, death will always be the outcome (Lieber). Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C is one of
Hepatitis C has been referred to as a "Silent Epidemic," since it usually progresses slowly over many years. Most people who are infected with hepatitis C are not aware of any noticeable symptoms for as long as one to two decades after they are infected. In fact, by the time symptoms appear, the virus has probably already begun to damage the liver. If the liver is injured and stops functioning, death will always be the outcome (Lieber). Liver failure from chronic hepatitis C is one of the most common
Main problem: Chronic Hepatitis C Hepatitis is a systemic disease primarily involving the liver, the term is used to construe inflammation of the liver. One of the main forms of Hepatitis is Hepatitis C; an RNA virus and uses liver cells to create copies of itself, killing those cells in the process. Prior to the identification of the infection in 1989 it was labelled “non-A, non-B” hepatitis (1). HCV blood-borne virus that predominantly infects the cells of the liver and advances to liver inflammation
Hepatitis C (HCV), a single stranded RNA virus from the family Flaviviridae, now accounts for more disease and death that does human immunodeficiency virus HIV/AIDS. Approximately 3 million individuals within the United States are currently suffering from what was once and unknown and untreatable virus. Non-A and non-B hepatitis are two forms of the virus that were prevalent back in the 1970’s. It was commonly acquired via blood transfusion as well as through hemodialysis methods of renal failure
Hepatitis C Virus Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which can be caused by several different viruses. It can also be acute or chronic, depending on the particular virus and stage of the disease. The different types of hepatitis are hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis B- associated delta (HDV), hepatitis C (HCV) (Porth 2005). These viruses are capable of being transmitted in many different ways but each one will instigate a viral response and inflammation within the liver
significantly increased hepatitis C disease burden in comparison to non-Indigenous Canadians (Uhanova, Tate, Tataryn, & Minuk, 2013). Due to over-representation in many groups considered high-risk for hepatitis C transmission, such as those living in unstable housing or engaging in injection drug use, Indigenous peoples living in urban settings are particularly affected (Miller et al., 2010). Recent studies have shown that comprehensive research on the risk factors associated with hepatitis C acquisition in
Hepatitis C is a significant public health problem in Australia with approximately 10000 new infections occurring annually1. In 25% of patients, acute Hepatitis C infection is followed by viral clearance, defined as undetectable levels of HCV RNA in the blood, with the remaining 75% progressing to chronic infection. Without intervention, those with chronic infection are at increased risk of hepatic fibrosis and progression to hepatic cirrhosis. There appears to be a significant variation in the reported
It has been observed that drug users are at great threat for HCV infections. HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) is more easily spread than HIV (Human Immunodefiency Virus), because its prevalence is greater than HIV. According to Macias et.al (2008), it has been observed that non-injection drug users have higher rates of hepatitis C infection in comparison to overall population. They attributed this to following reasons; sexual behaviors, tattoo or piercing materials, nail or hair clippers, and razors. Some
Hepatitis C is definitely not a public health crisis that needs emergency intervention in terms of the policy makers being pressured to make a decision urgently. However, thousands of citizens of the United States die on a yearly basis from this contagious disease (CDC, 2014). This makes it a serious public health issue. Hepatitis C is basically a liver disease that is contagious in nature and could be fatal if left untreated. According to the CDC website over 3 million Americans are infected with