The liver : A real factory

 

Effects of hepatitis C on the liver

The virus will slowly but surely attack the liver by creating 3 types of lesions. These lesions will damage the liver and stop it from working properly. Throughout the years, this largest organ that is already swollen due to the infection, will shrink, dent, harden, lose its suppleness and eventually prevent the transformation workshop from working properly. It is cirrhosis and or liver cancer.

Phases of infection

During the early onset of infection, some people will have jaundice while most will not have any symptoms and the infection will go completely unnoticed. During the first 6 months of infection, also known as acute phase, 15 to 20% of who are single-infected will rid themselves completely of the virus. On the other hand, this applies only to 5 to 10% for those who are co-infected with both viruses.

Chronic hepatitis C is defined as infection with the hepatitis C virus persisting for more than 6 months. At this stage, only a treatment can fight the virus. If you are considered as cured, be careful not to become infected again, for there is no long-term immunization available. You can become infected again by your risky behaviours whether you have rid yourself of the virus or were cured thanks to a treatment.

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease of the liver cells, caused by the hepatitis C virus(HCV).

The virus is spread by blood-to-blood contact only. It also spreads 10 to 15 times more easily than HIV. Also, hepatitis C lives a lot longer outside the human body than HIV. As soon as it enters the bloodstream, the virus affixes itself on liver cells and starts to replicate endlessly in order to infect healthier liver cell, and so on. The virus will cause some lesions or scars to the liver, keeping it from working properly. Liver damage can lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer.

Hepatitis C is the main cause of liver transplant in Canada!

HCV is constantly mutating, which gives it the opportunity to outwit the human body's immune system (see chapter: The Liver, page?). It is difficult to replicate the virus in a laboratory which explains why there are no vaccines against HCV at the present time.

As soon as it enters the bloodstream, the virus affixes itself on liver cells and starts to replicate endlessly in order to infect healthier liver cell, and so on. The virus will cause some lesions or scars to the liver, keeping it from working properly. Liver damage can lead to cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Hepatitis C is the main cause of liver transplant in Canada!

HCV is constantly mutating, which gives it the opportunity to outwit the human body's immune system (see chapter: The Liver, page...). It is difficult to replicate the virus in a laboratory which explains why there are no vaccines against HCV at the present time.

Hepatitis C is a slow progression silent disease that often goes unnoticed due to the fact that symptoms are few or nonexistent in the first few years.

HCV causes minor changes to the brain which explains these episodic changes to the temper (mood swings, irritability and sudden impulses).

HCV is classified according to 6 main categories, also known as genotypes. One genotype is not more dangerous than another! The difference is that, according to the strain caught, the outcome and length of treatment will vary.

The goal of an anti-HCV treatment is to obtain a sustained viral response (SVR) 6 months after the end of the treatment. It means that the HCV viral load count (amount of virus circulating in the bloodstream) must remain undetectable 6 months after the treatment. Health permitting, in cases where patients already have advanced cirrhosis, doctors will try to slow down its progression with an anti-HCV treatment. A low HCV viral load count causes fewer damages to the liver.

The majority of patients are treated in the chronic phase, which means that they have been infected for more than 6 months. A successful outcome for treatment in chronic phase, for genotypes 2 and 3, is 88 to 77% compared to 48% for genotype 1 and 4.

Risk factors

 

There is a risk that you have been infected with HCV and it is important for you to have a screening test.

 

•If you received blood products (plasma, platelets, etc.) or a blood transfusion before 1990;

•If you shared drug injection paraphernalia or shared accessories such as filters, spoons, pipes, bills, etc. even if it was only once.

•If you shared hormones injection. If you accidentally pricked yourself with a used needle

•If you shared toiletry items (toothbrush, razor, dental floss, nail file);

•If you have had tattoos or body piercings without ensuring that the equipment used was sterile or single-use (ink, needle);

•If you have had unprotected sex when blood was present (menstruation, anal or vaginal lesions, herpes, etc.);

There is a risk that you have been infected with HCV and it is important for you to have a screening test.

Screening test

It is only a blood sample taken after 3 months of a risky behaviour. It will take 3 weeks to receive the result. You can take an appointment at CLSC or with your doctor.

Co-Infection

To be co-infected means that a person carries HIV and hepatitis C simultaneously. HIV attacks the immune system whereas HCV attacks the liver.

There are no available treatment that specifically aim at treating co-infection by HIV and HCV.There are only treatments that either treat HIV or HCV.

It is recommended to see only one doctor for both infections.