Hepatitis C (abbreviated as hepatitis C) is an infectious hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), which mainly damages the liver. Hepatitis C virus is another hepatitis virus discovered by scientists after hepatitis A virus and hepatitis B virus, so it is called hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C has not received enough attention from the public, but some data suggest that the incidence of hepatitis C is increasing both at home and abroad. Since hepatitis C can easily become chronic and can develop into cirrhosis and liver cancer, it is very harmful to society and individuals, so it is necessary for us to understand hepatitis C, its transmission channels, its clinical manifestations and treatment, to see its true nature, and to effectively prevent and treat it! Guo Changqing, Department of Gastroenterology, Zhengzhou University First Affiliated Hospital How hepatitis C is transmitted Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood transmission, sexual transmission, and mother-to-child transmission. Blood-borne transmission is the main route of transmission, including transmission through blood transfusions and blood products, and transmission through broken skin and mucous membranes. From the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, more than 70% of post-transfusion hepatitis was hepatitis C. With the improvement of screening methods, this mode of transmission has been significantly controlled, while transmission through broken skin and mucous membranes is the most important mode of transmission at present. Kissing, hugging, sneezing, coughing, food, drinking, sharing utensils and cups, no skin breaks and other non-blood-exposed contacts generally do not transmit hepatitis C. What are the manifestations of having hepatitis C? Hepatitis C can manifest as acute hepatitis, chronic hepatitis, severe hepatitis, biliary hepatitis, and hepatitis cirrhosis. However, it is common to have a single elevated aminotransferase (ALT) that persists over time or fluctuates repeatedly. Because hepatitis C generally passes lightly and the peak transaminases are low, most patients are not easily detected. Many patients are discovered accidentally during routine physical examinations, or even when cirrhosis or cirrhosis is out of date. In short, hepatitis C is an insidious and undetectable disease, and many patients are often very sick by the time it is discovered. What tests are available to detect hepatitis C The diagnosis of hepatitis C relies on anti-HCV and HCV RNA testing. The anti-HCV test is used for screening of high-risk groups and for initial screening of HCV-infected patients, but anti-HCV
A positive HCV RNA test confirms HCV infection, and the severity of HCV RNA is related to the severity of the disease.
HCV genotyping, HCV RNA genotyping results can help to determine the severity and progression of the disease, but it can be used as an observational indicator of antiviral efficacy.
RNA genotyping results help to determine the ease of treatment and to develop individualized regimens for antiviral therapy. In anti-HCV and HCV
RNA testing, it should be noted that false positive and false negative results may exist and sometimes repeat testing is required. What can be done to prevent hepatitis C There is no effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. People with HCV infection should not share potentially contaminated items such as razors, scissors, toothbrushes, thimbles, etc. with other people. It is recommended that HCV-infected people use condoms during sexual intercourse.
For HCV
RNA-positive pregnant women, amniocentesis should be avoided to minimize the duration of delivery, ensure the integrity of the placenta, and reduce the exposure of the newborn to maternal blood. The recently published European guidelines for the management of hepatitis C state that cesarean delivery is not recommended to prevent vertical transmission of HCV in pregnant women with HCV infection during delivery. Mothers with chronic hepatitis C can breastfeed as long as they are anti-HIV negative and are not using intravenous drugs. Why patients with hepatitis C should have regular checkups Patients with hepatitis C on antiviral therapy should see their doctors regularly for regular testing of blood, urine, liver function, kidney function, blood sugar, thyroid function, HCV
RNA, etc., to understand the effect of antiviral therapy and adverse reactions, and deal with them in time to ensure smooth treatment. Patients without treatment indications or with contraindications and those who do not want to receive antiviral therapy should also be followed up regularly at the hospital, with regular tests of liver function, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and abdominal ultrasound, and liver biopsy if necessary to prevent cirrhosis and liver cancer.