❶ Hepatitis C Virus: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the Hepacivirus family of flaviviruses. The virus develops in the liver and spreads through the bloodstream throughout the body. The immune system in 80% of patients cannot cope with the disease. Location: Location: The first symptoms of the disease may be completely absent. The patient learns that he is infected only when examined for another reason. But in some cases, symptoms may occur in the form of general weakness, increased fatigue, and discomfort in the right hypochondrium. Jaundice is rare.

Diagnosis of viral hepatitis C is carried out directly - based on RNA information or indirectly - by determining the antibodies produced by white blood cells. The most reliable diagnostic method is the determination of hereditary information, or RNA. An indirect survey method does not always guarantee an accurate result. If the patient has recently undergone a course of therapy, antibodies remain in his blood for a long time. The most modern test is carried out using the polymerase chain reaction, or PCR.

Infected patients have a significantly increased risk of getting cancer. Therefore, every 6-12 months, the doctor prescribes a blood test to determine the alpha-fetoprotein tumor markers. Ultrasound examination of the liver is performed with the same time intervals.

Histological examination of liver tissues for the severity of fibrosis is performed in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Infected liver cells die off and are replaced by connective tissue. At an early stage, fibrosis is diagnosed; when cells are replaced by 50% with scar tissue, cirrhosis is diagnosed.

Interferons are used to treat hepatitis C. They cannot kill the virus, but they help the immune system to decode the type of infection and produce an enzyme that can kill the virus.

Interphenorotherapy is very difficult for patients. It takes at least 3-6 months to develop special enzymes. Currently, patients with hepatitis C are prescribed pegylated interferon concurrently with riboverin. Despite the most modern methods, no hepatologist can guarantee a complete cure.

There is no vaccination against the hepatitis C virus, as the virus constantly mutates and mutates.