How Do I Avoid a Hepatitis C Infection?

Golafield first reported non-A, non-B hepatitis after blood transfusion in 1974. In 1989, American scientist Michael Houghton and his colleagues used a new technical method, molecular biology, to finally find the viral gene sequence, clone the hepatitis C virus, and name the disease and The viruses are Hepatitis C and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Because the HCV genome is similar in structure and phenotype to human flavivirus and pestivirus, it is classified as Flaviviridae HCV.

Most patients are asymptomatic in the acute phase of infection, with high levels of viremia and elevated ALT. HCV RNA appears in blood earlier than anti-HCV after acute HCV infection. HCV RNA can be detected as early as 2 weeks after exposure, HCV core antigen can be detected 1 to 2 days after the emergence of HCV RNA, and anti-HCV cannot be detected until 8 to 12 weeks, that is, after the occurrence of HCV infection, There is about 8-12 weeks, only HCV RNA can be detected, and anti-HCV is negative, that is, the "window period" of anti-HCV detection, the length of the "window period" is related to the detection reagent (see Table 1). Anti-HCV is not a protective antibody, but a sign of HCV infection. 15% to 40% of patients with acute HCV infection can clear the infection within 6 months. During the process of infection clearing, it is possible that HCV RNA levels are very low and cannot be detected, only anti-HCV positive; and 65% to 80% The patient's virus persisted for 6 months and was called chronic HCV infection. Once chronic hepatitis C occurs, HCV RNA titers begin to stabilize, and cases of spontaneous recovery are rare. Spontaneous elimination of HCVRNA rarely occurs unless effective antiviral treatment is performed. Clinically, patients with chronic hepatitis C are mostly anti-HCV positive (immunosuppressed patients, such as HIV-infected, solid organ transplant recipients, hypogammaglobulinemia, or hemodialysis patients may be anti-HCV negative) HCV RNA can be positive or negative (after antiviral treatment, HCV RNA levels are low).

RIA or ELISA

That is: the detection of anti-HCV in serum by radioimmunoassay (RIA) or enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA)

LgG was extracted from the serum of chimpanzees or patients infected with HCV, and

Hepatitis C, like Hepatitis B, is infectious hepatitis, which is mainly transmitted vertically through blood, sex, and mother-to-child transmission. However, it is very regrettable that the medical community has not yet developed a vaccine to effectively prevent hepatitis C. Because Hepatitis C virus is an RNA virus, it is very susceptible to mutation. It is very difficult to develop a vaccine. Because no animal except humans and chimpanzees will develop Hepatitis C, it is difficult to find animal models for vaccine development. High-risk groups should be tested for hepatitis C antibodies as soon as possible, and the disease should be detected and treated early. ^[3]

1. Hepatitis C virus is transmitted through the blood. This is the main transmission method of hepatitis C virus, mainly through blood donors and blood products.

2. Vertical transmission mainly refers to the vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus from mother to child. Women carrying hepatitis C virus are likely to transmit hepatitis C virus to babies during childbirth.

The prevention of hepatitis C is basically the same as that of hepatitis B. At present, the focus of preventing hepatitis C in China should be on the management of blood donors, strengthening the disinfection and isolation system, and preventing iatrogenic transmission.

First, a large proportion of patients with hepatitis C are asymptomatic, and patients with chronic hepatitis C may not have any obvious symptoms for 20 years.

Second, the incubation period of hepatitis C is generally 1.5-2 months. After a period of incubation period, common symptoms of hepatitis occur, including fatigue, physical weakness, loss of appetite, and jaundice.

Third, patients with hepatitis C feel discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Fourth, a small number of patients with hepatitis C have low fever, mild hepatomegaly, and some patients may develop jaundice.

Fifth, a small number of patients with hepatitis C have lost weight, pain in muscles and joints, and poor sleep.

Sixth, the patient's liver function indicators are mostly normal or mildly abnormal.

What factors can easily cause the spread of hepatitis C?

1. Abuse of drugs and injecting drugs are currently the most important factors that cause hepatitis C transmission. Mainly because many people share a syringe, the chance of being infected with hepatitis C virus will greatly increase. To completely prevent hepatitis C infection, such people must quit or Use a personal syringe or needle.

2. Blood transfusion is also one of the major factors that cause the spread of hepatitis C. If the blood that is transfused is not strictly screened, the transfusion infection of hepatitis C will be greatly increased, which will easily cause hepatitis C infection.

3. People who have been on dialysis for a long time are also susceptible to HCV infection. They are mainly infected with HCV by using a kidney dialysis machine without strict disinfection, which is a type of iatrogenic transmission.

4. Mother-to-child transmission is one of the important factors that cause HCV transmission, mainly because mothers infected with HCV transmit HCV to children during childbirth. This requires mothers to take effective measures to reduce mother-to-child blockage before and after delivery. Your child's chances of getting the virus.

5. Unclean sex, public use of certain personal items ( such as toothbrushes or razors, etc.) can also cause the spread of hepatitis C.

1. Spread of blood and blood products: After the blood or blood products infected with hepatitis C are imported, it can cause the occurrence of hepatitis C after blood transfusion.

2. Living in close contact and transmission: According to statistics, about 40% of people with hepatitis C infection have no obvious history of blood transfusion and injection of blood products, and most of them are transmitted through close contact in daily life, such as sharing razors and toothbrushes in daily life. Easy to cause hepatitis C transmission.

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1. According to the patient's symptoms

Although the symptoms of hepatitis C patients are secretive, and some patients have no symptoms at all, as long as we observe carefully, we can find clues about hepatitis C.

2. According to the test results

Hepatitis C virus RNA is the most effective method for early diagnosis of hepatitis C. In acute hepatitis C, serum hepatitis C virus RNA can be obtained from

If the viral nucleic acid (HCV-RNA) is positive in patients with hepatitis C, it means that the virus is continuously replicating, and its liver function is difficult to stabilize. In most cases, the serum aminotransferase (ALT) is slightly or moderately elevated. These patients should be treated with antiviral and liver protection. After years of clinical verification, after using ordinary interferon, 50% of patients can get better results, that is, the negative conversion of serum HCV-RNA, and liver function returns to normal. However, after interferon was discontinued, 10% to 15% of patients experienced a rebound in viral replication, that is, HCV-RNA positive conversion, and liver function was abnormal again. In recent years, with the clinical application of long-acting interferon combined with ribavirin, the efficacy of patients with hepatitis C has increased by 20% to 30% compared to the previous, and currently can reach 80% to 90%. It is particularly gratifying that its rebound rate has been significantly reduced. The dosage of long-acting interferon is as described above; ribavirin 800-1200 mg / day, orally divided into 3 times. The course of treatment should be 6 to 12 months. If you can adhere to the 12-month course of treatment, the chance of hepatitis C virus and liver function rebounding is generally below 5%. Therefore, some scholars believe that the combination of long-acting interferon and ribavirin has brought bright prospects for the complete cure of hepatitis C.

The main examination items for hepatitis C patients are as follows:

1. Liver function test: directly judge the liver damage, understanding of liver damage, synthesis ability, metabolic ability, reserve capacity, etc.

2. Hepatitis C virus RNA detection: Hepatitis C virus RNA detection is to detect the actual presence of hepatitis C virus in the blood, and the virus can be detected within two weeks of infection.

3. Hepatitis C antibody detection: Hepatitis C antibody detection is the most important method for the diagnosis of hepatitis C. It is suitable for screening of high-risk groups and can also be used for the initial screening of people with hepatitis C infection. This test is a basic test that patients must do when they are initially examining HCV. Hepatitis C antibody is an indicator of hepatitis C virus infection. If the hepatitis C antibody is positive, it means that the patient is likely to be infected with hepatitis C virus.

4, B ultrasound or liver puncture examination: these are also common hepatitis C examination items, through these two tests can determine whether the development of liver cirrhosis, because hepatitis C has a higher chance of developing liver cirrhosis, so it needs to be paid attention to. The imaging examination is mainly performed by B-ultrasound. The B-ultrasound can be used to preliminary understand the physical shape of the liver after the patient is infected with hepatitis C virus, including the shape, echo, and size of the liver. After this examination, the liver can be accurately diagnosed. There is a problem.

liver

Hepatitis C patients should pay attention to the following issues in their daily lives:

1. Prevention of infection: Do not share sanitary appliances among family members. Female HCV menstrual period sanitary napkins should be disposed of and then thrown away. Protective measures should be taken during sexual life between couples, and condoms should be used as much as possible during sexual life.

2. Avoid toxic chemicals: such as eat less food containing pigments and preservatives, not eat moldy food and rotten ginger.

3. Pay attention to a reasonable diet: Eat less foods containing fat, sugar, pigments, and preservatives in order to effectively reduce the burden on the liver. In addition, you should also increase the intake of protein and vitamins.

4. Reasonable work and rest: Hepatitis C patients should pay attention to rest and supplement sleep. This will reduce the degree of damage to their own liver, which is conducive to the repair and regeneration of liver cells. It is also useful for the improvement of the patient's condition.

5. Maintain a good mood: Patients with hepatitis C should maintain a good mood, face the disease positively, and build confidence in overcoming the disease. Do not produce anxiety and irritability.