Hepatitis C Articles
Browse eMedTV's wide range of articles related to hepatitis c including topics such as hepatitis c virus, hepatitis c viral load, and hepatitis c treatment. Use the search box at the top-right corner of the page to find information about other health topics.
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Physical Symptoms of Hepatitis C |
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by a virus, which can be spread through contact with infected blood. This eMedTV page describes how hepatitis C is transmitted and discusses treatment options as well as ways to prevent infection.
Peginterferon and ribavirin are commonly used in hepatitis C treatment. This part of the eMedTV library describes these drugs for hepatitis C treatment, including their approximate success rate and key factors that may impact a person's treatment.
For people with hepatitis C, symptoms may include fatigue, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain. This eMedTV article discusses these and other symptoms of hepatitis C. Many people experience no symptoms in the early stages of hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C transmission occurs most frequently through contact with infected blood. This portion of the eMedTV archives discusses hepatitis C transmission and how to prevent spreading the virus.
As this eMedTV resource explains, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that travels through a person's blood. The HCV then enters liver cells and uses them to make more of the hepatitis C virus.
All six genotypes of the hepatitis C virus are causes of hepatitis C. This portion of the eMedTV website reviews the different causes of hepatitis C and how the hepatitis C virus can be spread -- generally through infected blood.
You don't get hepatitis C from a kiss or from other everyday activities like talking or hugging. This portion of the eMedTV library covers how hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood, and why you can't get hepatitis C from a kiss.
No cure for hepatitis C is currently available. However, as this eMedTV Web page explains, certain medicines may help the body destroy the virus and reduce swelling and scarring of the liver. These drugs are not a guaranteed cure for hepatitis C.
Some people take vitamins as an adjunct to their hepatitis C treatment. This eMedTV Web page covers key points about hepatitis C and vitamins, such as proper dosing, supplements to avoid, and reasons why people with hepatitis C use vitamins.
Chronic hepatitis C is a disease in which there is long-term inflammation of the liver. This eMedTV resource explains several aspects of chronic hepatitis C, including how it is spread, diagnosed, and treated.
One type of hepatitis C test can help your doctor determine whether or not you have hepatitis C and how much of the virus is present. This eMedTV resource describes the viral RNA hepatitis C test, as well as liver enzyme tests and a liver biopsy.
Hepatitis C viral load is a measure of the amount of hepatitis C virus in a person's blood. This eMedTV resource explains how the results of a hepatitis C viral load test are expressed and how they are used to monitor treatment results.
Treatment for hepatitis C usually includes peginterferon, either taken alone or with ribavirin. This eMedTV resource explains these treatment options and the factors that can affect the success of treatment for hepatitis C.
There are six main hepatitis C genotypes. Of the different hepatitis C genotypes, genotype 1 is the most common in the United States. This eMedTV resource explores the hepatitis C genotypes, including their effect on treatment plans.
Several factors influence a person's hepatitis C prognosis. As this eMedTV article explains, a hepatitis C prognosis can be affected by the patient's age, ethnicity, and general health. The type of HCV the person has also impacts the prognosis.
Hepatitis C statistics indicate that about 3.9 million people in the US are infected with hepatitis C. The hepatitis C statistics on this eMedTV page also show a decreasing trend in the number of new hepatitis C cases diagnosed each year.
Physical Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Many people do not exhibit physical symptoms of hepatitis C in the early stages of the disease. However, as this eMedTV segment explains, cirrhosis of the liver can lead to jaundice, abdominal pain, and other physical symptoms of hepatitis C.
Colloidal Silver and Hepatitis C
Researchers studying colloidal silver and hepatitis C have not found collodial silver to be an effective treatment for hepatitis C. This eMedTV segment explores side effects that may occur if colloidal silver is used for hepatitis C treatment.
Currently, no hepatitis C vaccine is available. But, as this section of the eMedTV library explains, researchers are hopeful that a hepatitis C vaccine will be ready by 2010. Until then (and even after), it's important to avoid other people's blood.
As explained in this eMedTV segment, scientists do not believe that there is a relationship between oral sex and hepatitis C transmission. While oral sex and hepatitis C may not be linked, hepatitis C can be spread through sexual intercourse.