Hepatitis C: The Spread of a Silent Virus

October 29, 2008

By Ashley Olson

Hepatitis C, commonly associated with other forms of hepatitis such as hepatitis A & B, is a contagious liver disease that can range in severity from an acute illness to a very severe, life-long illness. The term hepatitis refers to an inflammation of the liver which is the main organ affected by hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is the result of an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). There are about 3 million American today who are infected with HCV, but many of them do not know it because they have no visible symptoms. Hepatitis C can manifest itself in a person’s body as either an acute form of the viral infection, or as a more chronic form. Acute hepatitis C is a short-term illness that usually shows symptoms within the first six months after initial infection. For the most part, acute hepatitis C results in chronic hepatitis C which is a long-term illness that occurs when the virus remains in a person’s body. It can lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.

This form of hepatitis C is a blood borne virus and illness. It is spread through direct or indirect contact with the blood of an infected person. The most common activities that people can become infected from are:

• Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs.
• Needle stick injuries in healthcare settings
• Being born to a mother who has hepatitis C

Some less common activities include:

• Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
• Having sexual contact with a person infected with the hepatitis C virus. (This risk increases for people who have multiple sex partners, have a sexually transmitted disease, engage in rough sex, or are infected with HIV.)

Since this virus is blood-borne, it is not transmitted through food or water, or other activities such as sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing.

Properly diagnosing someone who has hepatitis C is a complicated task because many times people who are infected with the virus do not show any symptoms, and if they do, it may take many years after the initial infection for any symptoms to occur. Some will develop acute hepatitis C and will have mild to severe symptoms soon after being infected including fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored bowel movements, joint pain, and jaundice (yellow color in the skin or eyes). In most cases, symptoms do not occur until there is damage to the liver. Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common result of chronic hepatitis C and its symptoms include:

• Fluid retention causing swelling of the belly (ascites), legs, or whole body
• Persistent jaundice
• Fatigue
• Disturbances in sleeping
• Itchy skin
• Loss of appetite, weight loss, wasting
• Vomiting with blood in the vomit
• Mental disturbances such as confusion, lethargy, extreme sleepiness, or hallucinations

It is recommended that you talk to your health care provider if any of the above mentioned symptoms persist for more than 2-3 days.

There is currently no cure for either acute or chronic forms of hepatitis C. Treatment options are thus focused on treating the effects of the disease, such as those on the liver. For people who have an acute or mild case of hepatitis C, most doctors will recommend a nutritious diet, avoiding alcohol (because of its negative affects on the liver), rest, regular exercise, and plenty of fluids. However, in cases of a more severe form of the virus, drug therapy is usually the route that conventional medicine takes. This therapy includes a drug called Interferon combined with an antiviral drug called Ribavirin. This treatment regimen works for about half of those patients who are started on it. For those who are not successful with this regiment, doctors may suggest another round of this therapy or another course of treatment. Along with the possible benefits of these drugs come many side effects that could do serious harm. These side effects include flu-like symptoms, nausea and other gastrointestinal problems, hair loss, emotional changes, skin reactions, and, in more severe cases, depression, organ damage, and blood conditions may occur.

In addition to conventional medical treatments there are a number of alternative methods to treat the effects of hepatitis C. Like conventional methods, alternative methods are mostly directed towards the liver and helping the liver to fight off disease and repair itself. A natural diet that is low in saturated fat, refined carbohydrates, animal protein, and an avoidance of excessive amounts of alcohol is a good way to build a healthy liver and body. Eating foods that are rich in lecithin (soybean), essential fatty acids (salmon, flax oil) and green leafy vegetables that are rich in fiber and antioxidants like vitamins C and E are all good for clearing out your system and strengthening the liver. In addition, a non-smoking, non-alcohol, non-caffeine lifestyle with plenty of water also helps to fight off this disease.

Like many other communicable diseases and viruses, hepatitis C disproportionately affects medically underserved populations such as Native Americans and other minorities in this country. Hepatitis C is a real threat to the Native community and should be treated as such. It is of the utmost importance that education and information about hepatitis C is available to all people who may be at risk for the virus. In terms of possibly spreading the disease, IV drug usage is the most common way, but it is important to be cautious during ceremonies where it may be spread. Since the virus lives in blood, using individual and sterile scalpels and other piercing utensils when performing ceremonies are a good preventative measure to lower the risk of spreading the disease. A study conducted in Spain (2003) cites that the hepatitis C virus “actively replicates in the healthy epidermis and sweat glands of chronically infected patients--and more important, is secreted in their sweat.” [1] However, the study was not able to prove that the perspiration of a chronically infected person is infectious. If you think that you may be at risk, contact your local doctor immediately to get tested. Knowing your status is the first step in helping to keep yourself healthy and in preventing the further spread of the disease.

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Suggested websites for more information:
www.hepatitisfoundation.org
www.cdc.gov

[1] http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_24_38/ai_112404414