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HEPATITIS C
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
what is hepatitis C?
There are at least six viruses known to cause liver disease: hepatitis A, B, C, D, E, and G, which vary in their severity and characteristics. Hepatitis C can lead to serious, permanent liver damage, and in many cases, death.
As a result, most Hepatitis C infections (80-90%) become chronic and lead to liver disease, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissues) and liver failure. Hepatitis C infection is typically mild in its early stages, and it is rarely recognized until it has caused significant damage to the liver. The cycle of disease from infection to significant liver damage can take 20 years or more.
Blood transfusions account for nearly 10% of all cases of Hepatitis C. Prior to 1990, there were no tests for hepatitis C in donated blood, and the risk of infection was between 8 and 10%. Since 1993, risk has been negligible.
The Hepatitis C Epidemic
Hepatitis C is a one of a special set of viruses, called RNA viruses, which can outmanuever the human immune system. They do this by mutating rapidly, often evolving faster than the immune system can develop an effective response to them. Infections by RNA viruses like Hepatitis C are hard to beat—and can be very dangerous.