Questions Regarding Hepatitis C

Rejekine.
A: Sometimes hepatitis C or hepatitis C treatment can make you difficulty in eating. This can happen because you do not have an appetite, tentacle you have changed, or nausea. Get tips for improving your eating on the Eating Difficulties Facing.

Q: Why do I feel tired?

A: One of the symptoms of hepatitis C is chronic fatigue. Liver has a responsibility to save energy for the body needs for its functions. If the liver is damaged, you need energy to perform daily activities may not be available. It causes fatigue. For tips on how to deal with fatigue read the section on Dealing with Fatigue.

Q: How come my way so as not to infect my family?

A: Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with blood contaminated with hepatitis C. To avoid the transmission of Hepatitis C, you must eliminate the possibility of contact with blood. Do not share tools that can carry blood, such as toothbrushes, nail clippers, shaving, scissors and so on. If you are injured or have open wounds, treat and care of the wound using proper plaster immediately. If you are injured by kitchen appliances such as a knife or can opener, treat your wounds and sterilize the tool (by boiling with water) before being used again.

Q: Can I still have intercourse?

A: The possibility of contracting hepatitis C through a small intimate relationship but this can be a source of disease approximately 15% of cases. If you are living with Hepatitis C, it is better to use contraceptives such as condoms or a diaphragm. Remember that oral contraceptives do not keep you from getting the disease from sexual intercourse.

Some treatment of chronic hepatitis C (usually taking such Ribavirin) is very dangerous for the fetus. If you are in active treatment and in intimate relationships, it is important to keep the non-pregnant women (during treatment and 6 months after treatment) using at least two forms of contraceptive devices or drugs are effective.

Q: Can I breastfeed my baby if I am living with Hepatitis C?

A: There is never a disease incidence of Hepatitis C can be transmitted from mother to child through breast milk. However, if you are in the treatment of hepatitis C disease, medications you are taking are not safe in breastfeeding. Ask your doctor whether it is safe to continue breastfeeding while taking the drug.

Q: Do I have to tell me that my teeth doker suffering from Hepatitis C?

A: It was very important to tell your dentist and other medical personnel that you are suffering from Hepatitis C. Your dentist needs to prepare for the prevention of mouth even when running the operation for other routine actions that cause expenditure of blood and other things that can potentially spread the disease Hepatitis C. Likewise, if you do a blood sampling. Inform the laboratory staff (people who take blood samples) that you have hepatitis so that he will take reasonable precautions in order not to hurt with a needle and syringe.

Q: What if I or my partner pregnant within the treatment?

A: If you or your partner become pregnant during treatment, it is important to immediately notify your doctor immediately. Treatment in combination with ribavirin can be very dangerous and even fatal to the fetus. Your doctor will discuss options with you.

Q: Do I have to do other diseases vaccinated if I have hepatitis C?

A: It is highly recommended that people get vaccinated for Hepatitis C Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Hepatitis C infection is not meningatkan likely you are infected with hepatitis A and hepatitis B. However, infected with the two diseases at the same time can aggravate hepatitis C infection

Q: Still allow me to hug and kiss my family members if I have hepatitis C?

A: Hepatitis C can not be transmitted through physical contact without involving the blood so it does not matter to hug and kiss your family members.

Q: Can I transmit the disease even though I was in treatment?

A: Not yet known whether treatment can reduce transmission of hepatitis C. However, if the amount of virus in your blood had been undetectable for 6 months after treatment (which means you have a virus rejection response), chances are you transmitting hepatitis C is very low.

Q: What if I do not run a good treatment?

A: Treatment of Hepatitis C can be difficult. Treatment ended less than 1 or 2 years. But clinical experience shows that patients still continue to run the treatment, is a better action in the face of medicine. So it's important to follow your doctor's instructions in the treatment of carefully and not to forget one dosispun. If you have the difficulty in carrying out the treatment tell your doctor.

Q: What questions should I ask my doctor?

A: Hepatitis C is a serious disease. To that end, it is important for you to find and learn everything about the Hepatitis C virus, and didklah yourself about hepatitis C and its treatment. There are several questions you should ask your doctor, such as:

What level I and genotype of virus diseases?
Do I have to do the vaccination Hepatitis A and B?
Should I do a liver biopsy?
Should I run the treatment?
Do I have other conditions that can be a complication in the treatment?
Is the scar in my heart enough to be a liver cancer? If yes, how should I monitor?
Is peginterferon / ribavirin good for me?
What is your recommendation if I was treated with peginterferon with weight-based dose or doses that remain?
How long will my treatment?
How often do I need to control?
What tests should I run? Are these tests need to be repeated? How often?
What side effects? Who can I contact if there are any side effects? Do I need to contact you directly?
What changes should I run every day?
What other medication can and can not I live?

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Hepatitis C Drugs

rejekine. Hepatitis C is currently the standard drug is a combination of Interferon with Ribavirin. Hepatitis C drug combination is going to result in sustained virologic response (persistent viral response) is high. Response is often abbreviated as SVR.

Hepatitis C drugs pegylated interferon alfa created by combining a large water-soluble molecules called "polyethylene glycol" (PEG) with alpha interferon molecule. Merger with PEG interferon alpha increases the size so that it can survive in the body longer. It also can protect the interferon molecule divided by body enzymes.

Another advantage is the time in the body of Hepatitis C drug is much longer (half-life) so did not need to Hepatitis C drug often consumed. Interferon alfa usual standards injected three times a week but pegylated interferon alfa just once a week.

In addition, research showed the drug pegylated interferon alfa Hepatitis C is more effective in producing a response against the virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C than interferon alfa that did not experience pegylasi.

Currently there are two kinds of pegylated interferon alfa are available: peginterferon alfa-2a and peginterferon alfa-2b. although both compounds are effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, there is a difference in the size, type pegylasi, the half-life, route penbersihan of the body and a second dose of pegylated interferon.

Because pegylasi method and type of PEG molecule used in the process can affect the action of drugs and cleaning processes in the body.

The big difference between the two pegylated interferons is dose. The dose of pegylated interferon alfa-2a is the same for all patients, not considering the weight and size of the patient.

While the dose of pegylated interferon alfa-2b adjusted to individual patient's body weight.

Hepatitis C drug is administered according to body weight of patients at a dose of 1.5 mg / kg body weight. Hepatitis C drug is now also available in the form of a pen (Peg Intron Redipen). Form the pen of hepatitis C drugs will provide convenience to patients in the injection. This will increase the ease of patient compliance in the treatment of Hepatitis C. Compliance in the treatment of Hepatitis C is an important factor in improving the therapeutic efficacy of hepatitis C.

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Risk Factors for Hepatitis C

Rejekine.Because of the risk factors Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is transmitted from person to person through contact with infected blood Hepatitis C virus, activities that increase contact with the blood it needs to be considered as a risk factor.
The most common risk factor is injecting drug users and transfusion of blood and blood products before 1992

Other risk factors such as tattoos and body piercing. Ink or tattoo needles that are used to make a tattoo or body piercing can be carriers of hepatitis C virus from one customer to another customer, if the offender does not do sterilasasi on equipment.

Other risk factors are needle injuries, especially in health care workers, hemodialysis and organ transplantation before 1992.

Needle-stick injuries, which often occurs in health care workers, can be a means of transmission of hepatitis C virus The probability of transmission of hepatitis C virus through needle larger than the HIV virus.

Today, in patients with HIV there is a standard protocol in the handling of syringes to reduce the risk of contracting HIV or AIDS. Unfortunately, there is no similar protocol for treatment in patients with hepatitis C to prevent transmission through needles.

Injecting Drug Users

Two-thirds of injecting drug users suffering from Hepatitis C.

People who use injecting drugs, even once, have a high risk of contracting Hepatitis C. Today, the risk of hepatitis C virus infected through injecting drugs was higher than HIV-infected about 60% to 80% are infected with Hepatitis C infected with HIV while about 30%.

Hepatitis C virus is easily spread through sharing needles, syringes and other supplies injecting drug users.

Sexual Relations

Although hepatitis is not easily transmitted through sexual intercourse, risky sexual behavior, especially that have more than one sexual partner, became the trigger for increased risk of hepatitis C virus infection

Approximately 15% of Hepatitis C infection is transmitted through sexual contact. Transmission through sexual intercourse on Hepatitis C is not as high on Hepatitis B. However, high-risk sexual behaviors associated with an increased risk of contracting Hepatitis C. Risk factors of hepatitis C transmission through sexual contact includes

Having more than one partner
PSK service users
Injury due to sex (lack of lubrication of the vagina can increase the risk of transmission through blood)
Sexual intercourse during menstruation.
In married couples, the risk of transmission increases with duration of marriage. This is related to sexual intercourse and sharing of equipment (such as toothbrushes, shaving razors, nail clippers, etc.).

If you have a sexual relationship with a person infected with Hepatitis C risk factors, you should run a test for Hepatitis C as well.

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Hepatitis C relationship with Other Diseases

Hepatitis C virus and HIV

Rejekine. HIV (causes AIDS) and Hepatitis C has some similarities and important differences. Both are viruses that can cause chronic disease. Some risk factors such as injection drug use and blood transfusions before 1992 are often found both viruses. Today, nearly a third of people with HIV, especially those infected from transfusions and needles, are also infected with hepatitis C virus

Patients infected with hepatitis C virus and HIV, chronic Hepatitis C is faster than their HIV negative.

It is estimated that about 180 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C, or about 3 percent of the population. Hepatitis C infection more so than HIV.

Hepatitis C and other hepatitis viruses

Although all viral hepatitis affects the liver, different premises Hepatitis C Hepatitis B and Hepatitis A. The big difference is there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. Hepatitis B virus is often transmitted through sexual contact. Hepatitis A, in contrast to hepatitis B and C do not cause chronic disease.

Hepatitis C Hepatitis B Hepatitis A
Number of new cases per year	35,000	200,000	150,000
Number of affected people in U.S.	4,000,000	1,200,000	--
Main routes of transmission	- IV Drug use - Transfusions - Needlestick Injuries - Hemodialysis - Tattooing/Body Piercing with Contaminated Needles or Ink	- IV Drug use - Transfusions - Needlestick Injuries - Hemodialysis - Tattooing/Body Piercing with Contaminated Needles or Ink - Sexual	Food and Water Contamination
Vaccine	No	Yes	Yes

Hepatitis C dan Hemofilia

Penderita Hemofilia memiliki resiko terinfeksi melalui darah lebih tinggi dibandingkan populasi lainnya karena mereka secara teratur menjalani transfusi darah dan menerima produk darah lainnya.

Pada tahun 1987, prosedur inaktivasi virus mulai diberlakukan di bank darah. Dengan prosedur ini telah dilakukan pemusnahan besar-besaran pada darah yang ada karena adanya virus Hepatitis C. Namun demikian penderita Hemofilia yang menerima produk darah sebelum tahun tersebut memiliki resiko tinggi terinfeksi Hepatitis C.

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Consequences of Hepatitis C Patients

Rejekine. One of the most serious consequences in patients with Hepatitis C is a liver cancer.

About 15% of patients infected with hepatitis C virus can eliminate the virus from his body spontaneously without facing konskwensinya at a later date. This is called acute infection. Unfortunately, the majority of patients with this disease becomes chronic. (A disease said to be chronic when settled more than 6 months).

Hepatitis C Chronic Hepatitis one of the most dangerous form of the disease and for long periods can have complications, especially if not treated.

Patients with chronic hepatitis are at risk of a late stage liver disease and liver cancer. Few of the patients with chronic hepatitis, his heart was broken and needed a liver transplant. In fact, liver disease, especially the main causes of Hepatitis C in liver transplant today.

About a third of liver cancer caused by Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is a liver cancer is increasing throughout the world because many people infected with Hepatitis C each year.


Although hepatitis C have no symptoms, liver damage continued and became worse over time.

When the liver becomes damaged (for example, for Hepatitis C) would improve their own hearts that form the scar. Grated form is often called fibrosis. The more scar indicates the severity of the disease. Thus, liver cirrhosis can be (filled with scar).

The structure of the liver cells begin to break, so that the liver no longer functions normally. Liver damage caused by Hepatitis C usually occurs gradually over 20 years, but several factors can make more rapid progression of the disease, such as alcohol, male gender, age and HIV infection.

Due to Hepatitis C infection can cause liver damage without symptoms, it is very important to carry out checks as early as possible and discuss treatment options with your doctor. Research shows that patients treated before it damaged her heart had significantly better response to treatment than in patients who delay treatment

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Treatment of Hepatitis C

Rejekine. Is Hepatitis be treated?
Can, chronic hepatitis C can be treated with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin.

Treatment of Hepatitis C as early as possible is very important. Although your body has to fight against infection, but only 15% were successful, the treatment is still needed to prevent chronic hepatitis C and helps reduce the possibility of a broken heart.

Sometimes, the treatment of hepatitis C requires a long time, and can not be helped. But because the disease can become severe over time, it is important to seek proper treatment from your doctor.

Diagnosis and early treatment is very urgent and important. A significant percentage of people who do it can recover from Hepatitis C and showed improvement of his heart.

The goal of treatment of hepatitis C is to eliminate the virus from your body as early as possible to prevent the worsening developments and end-stage liver disease.

Most forms of interferon alpha could only last one day but can be modified through PEGylation process to make it last longer. Although interferon alfa can be used as a single hepatitis C drugs including pegylated interferon, the study showed more effective when combined with anti-viral ribavirin.

Three compounds used in the treatment of Hepatitis C are:

Interferon alpha
Is a protein made naturally by the human body to enhance the immune system / immunity and regulate other cell functions. Drugs recommended for chronic hepatitis C is of inteferon alpha can be in the form of natural or synthetic.

Pegylated interferon alfa
Created by combining water-soluble molecules called "polyethylene glycol (PEG)" with the alpha interferon molecule. Modification of alpha interferon is no longer in the body, and studies have shown more effective in making the last response to the virus from chronic hepatitis C patients compared to regular interferon alfa.

Ribavirin
Is anti-viral drugs are used together with interferon alfa for chronic hepatitis C treatment. Ribavirin alone is not effective when used against hepatitis C virus, but with the combination of interferon alpha, is more effective than alpha inteferon own.
This treatment has been accepted based on its ability to generate a response against the virus in patients with chronic hepatitis C disease.

The patient is said to have a response against the virus if the number of Hepatitis C virus is so low that it was not detected in standard tests Hepatitis C virus RNA and if those levels remained undetectable for more than 6 months after treatment is completed.

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Hepatitis c virus

Rejekine. Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV = Hepatitis C virus). Hepatitis C virus entry into liver cells, using the genetic machinery in the cell to duplicate the Hepatitis C virus, and then infect many other cells.

15% of cases of Hepatitis C infection is acute, meaning the body automatically clean and there are no consequences. Unfortunately 85% of cases, hepatitis C infection becomes chronic and slowly damages the liver for years. In that time, the liver can be broken into cirrhosis (hardening of the liver), end-stage liver disease and liver cancer.

Causes of Hepatitis C


Hepatitis C virus

Hepatitis means swelling of the hati.Banyak kinds of viral hepatitis C. In many cases, the virus enters the body, began life in liver cells, disrupt the normal activity of these cells, then using the genetic machinery in the cell to duplicate the Hepatitis C virus and then infect other healthy cells.

If you have Hepatitis C, it is important to eat healthy foods and avoiding alcohol. Alcohol can worsen the damage your heart, whether you are in treatment or not.

One of the common symptoms of hepatitis C is chronic fatigue. Fatigue can also be a side effect of treatment of Hepatitis C. Fatigue caused by Hepatitis C can be resolved with adequate rest and run a routine exercise.

Hepatitis C virus is very clever to transform themselves quickly. Today there are at least six major types of hepatitis C virus (often called the genotype) and more than 50 subtypes.

This is the reason why the body can not effectively fight the virus and studies have not been able to make a vaccine against viral hepatitis C. Genotype does not determine how bad and how quickly the disease progression of Hepatitis C, but certain genotypes may not respond as well as others in treatment.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Often times people who suffer from Hepatitis C have no symptoms, although infection has occurred for many years.

If the symptoms below there are probably vague:

• Tired
• Loss of appetite
• Stomach ache
• Urine becomes dark
• Yellow skin or eyes (called "jaundice") are rare
• In some cases, hepatitis C can cause an increase in certain enzymes in the liver, which can be detected on routine blood tests. However, some patients with chronic hepatitis C have levels of liver enzymes or abnormal fluctuations.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to perform the test if you think you have the risk of contracting hepatitis C or if you had any contact with contaminated people or objects. The only way to identify this disease is by blood test.

Transmission of Hepatitis C

Transmission of Hepatitis C is usually through direct contact with blood or its products and needles or other sharp instruments contaminated. In many everyday activities risk of infection by Hepatitis C such as bleeding from cuts or nosebleeds, or menstrual blood. Personal equipment is exposed to contact by the patient can transmit the hepatitis C virus (such as toothbrushes, razors or manicure tools). Risk of Hepatitis C infection through sexual intercourse was higher in people who have more than one partner.

Transmission of Hepatitis C rarely occurs from hepatitis C-infected mothers to newborns or other family members. However, if the mother is also HIV-positive patients, the risk of transmitting hepatitis C is very much possible. Breastfeeding does not transmit hepatitis C.

If you have Hepatitis C, you can not spread hepatitis C to others through hugs, handshakes, sneezing, coughing, sharing eating utensils and drinking, casual contact, or other contacts who are not exposed to blood. A person who is infected with Hepatitis C can infect others 2 weeks after infection to him.

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