HCV - VIRAL HEPATITIS

VIRAL HEPATITIS
VIRAL HEPATITIS. The termVIRAL HEPATITIS is usually used to describe infections caused by agents whose primary tissue tropism is the liver. ...

Facts about viral hepatitis
Viral hepatitis is inflammation of the liver caused by a virus. ... There is no specific anti-viral treatment for acute viral hepatitis. ...

Viral Hepatitis Preventive Service
f r x w A. c · ^ · English Version.

www.tulane.edu/~dmsander/WWW/335/Hepatitis.html
Similar pages National Viral Hepatitis Conference Prevention of viral hepatitis is a major challenge for the nation s public ... The conference focus will be on the prevention of viral hepatitis during all ...

Viral Hepatitis: A Through E and Beyond
Provides information on the symptoms, modes of transmission, at-risk populations, prevention, and treatment for hepatitis A through E. Includes a list of ...

Viral Hepatitis - Book Information
Viral Hepatitis by Zuckerman & Thomas was the first comprehensive book on hepatitis ... Liver Transplantation in the Management of Chronic Viral Hepatitis ...

HCV - A Summary of Chronic Hepatitis C InfectionHepatitis C

A Summary of Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

Hepatitis C is a stealthy virus that mutates while hiding in liver cells and other organ cells like the spleen and gall bladder. The fact that the viral cells "hide" makes it very difficult for the body's immune system to eradicate it. Hepatitis C is a slowly progressing disease sometimes taking many years until symptoms are noticeable. It is at this point that the virus has reached advanced chronic stage and becomes difficult to eradicate. Hepatitis C results in 8,000 to 10,000 deaths annually. Hepatitis C is also the leading cause of liver transplants in the U.S.

Hepatitis C infection is caused by blood contact with someone who has the virus infection himself. The transmission of the virus can occur by illicit drug use with needles, sharing toothbrushes or razors with an infected person, by sexual means, by unsanitary tattooing or by exposure to blood at your workplace (like a hospital or blood bank). Some HCV infection may have been caused by receiving blood from a transfusion prior to 1992.

Hepatitis C is diagnosed via a blood test. Usually, the first thing that is noticed is that the liver enzyme levels for ALT and AST are elevated well above normal levels. Further investigation via HCV-RNA testing identifies whether the Hepatitis C virus is in your blood or not. Other tests for HCV include qualitative viral load tests, which measure the RNA particles in your blood. If you are being treated for HCV, your doctor is probably using either a HCV-RNA or viral load test to determine the effectiveness of the treatment.

The symptoms of Hepatitis C infection often do not occur in a person until 20 years after he/she had been infected. Since the HCV infects the liver and the liver is the organ in the body that makes all the energy for our daily activities possible, liver function deterioration often results in fatigue. Fatigue is the primary complaint or symptom of HCV infection. Other more severe symptoms are jaundice (yellowing of the skin/eyes), bile retention (which can cause jaundice), portal vein hypertension, skin rashes and itching, and autoimmune problems resulting from your body's immune system attacking normal cells.

Long term HCV infection may result in fibrosis or even cirrhosis of the liver. Fibrosis results from unchecked liver inflammation. As the HCV infection progresses, the damage to the liver results in scarring or hardening of the liver cells (fibrosis). Long term fibrosis may lead to cirrhosis which is when the scarring from fibrosis overtakes the normal liver cell structure causing deformity and loss of function in the liver. About 15%-20% of HCV patients end up with cirrhosis. A liver biopsy is currently the most accurate means of determining the amount of inflammation and fibrosis the liver has sustained.

Hepatitis C progression in the body can take several years or even decades to come to chronic stage or to a stage where severe liver damage is evident. This period of time allows a person to determine how to properly treat the disease and to decide on a course of disease management. Currently, the main treatment for HCV infection to eradicate the virus is combo alpha-interferon and Ribavirin. Sometimes a doctor may prescribe interferon alone. Interferon comes in standard form or in pegylated form. Standard form interferon is administered 3 times per week, while the pegylated form is administered only once per week. Your body makes its own interferon, which is a protein that fights viral infection and viral replication.

Hepatitis C may often be managed by taking herbal and vitamin supplements that help your body fight infection and limit inflammation. These supplements help your liver with the inflammation and give it the nutrients it needs to regenerate healthy new cells. Your doctor can recommend alternative or adjunct solutions you may want to try.

Proper treatment of the disease, a healthy and active lifestyle, a good diet, abstinence from alcohol and stress management are important factors in controlling Hepatitis C progression.

About the Author

Greg Lietz is a freelance writer and internet businessman. His main website is http://www.theonlinebizplace.com where he provides content about internet based business opportunities and different niche interests. This article may be freely printed when the bio information is included.

HCV - Reports add new data to imaging research

Reports add new data to imaging research
Therapeutics Daily (subscription) (press release), PA - Apr 6, 2006Study 1: Scientists in Italy conducted a study that reported ultrasonography (US) accurately detected liver fibrosis in chronic viral hepatitis. ...

FDA Sends Intermune Letter Over Advertisement
PharmaLive.com (press release), PA - Apr 4, 2006... Other causes of hepatitis, such as viral hepatitis B or autoimmune hepatitis, should be ruled out prior to initiation of therapy with INFERGEN. ...

Advances in the Treatment of Upper Gastrointestinal Cancers
Medscape (subscription) - Apr 4, 2006... Variables associated with underlying viral hepatitis B versus hepatitis C in patients presenting with hepatocellular carcinoma. ...

Cirrhosis care improving chance of patient survival
Savannah Morning News, GA - Apr 5, 2006... Because alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, diabetes, and obesity are common it should not be shocking to learn that cirrhosis is among the leading causes of death ...

Treatment of Hepatitis C in debate in the Algarve
Regiao Sul, Portugal - Mar 30, 2006... of discussing the more important themes related to this speciality, namely the treatment of Hepatitis C (present and future), viral hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis ...

HCV - Treatment of Hepatitis C in debate in the Algarve

Treatment of Hepatitis C in debate in the Algarve
Regiao Sul, Portugal - Mar 30, 2006... of discussing the more important themes related to this speciality, namely the treatment of Hepatitis C (present and future), viral hepatitis, hepatic cirrhosis ...

Turkmenistan committed to give best start in life to children
NewsCentralAsia, CA - Mar 24, 2006... In 2002, Turkmenistan introduced universal infant immunization against viral hepatitis B. Since then Turkmenistan became fully self-sufficient in vaccines ...

Bush Melt Down: So What's New?
Prison Planet.com - Mar 23, 2006... For example, it is associated with elevated risk of acquiring chronic diseases, such as viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted disease. ...

Gastroenterology issues probed
Trade Arabia, Bahrain - Apr 1, 2006... Roche is committed to the viral hepatitis disease area, having first introduced Roferon-A for hepatitis B and then C, followed by PEGASYS in hepatitis C and ...

Screening Test Available to Detect an Antibody to Hepatitis C
International News Service, Australia - Mar 21, 2006... In addition to transfusions, hepatitis C also can be spread by other means and accounts for up to 30 percent of sporadic cases of viral hepatitis. ...

HCV - Center for Health Improvement

Center for Health Improvement
HCV Strategy Group The CHI Breakthrough Collaborative: Hepatitis C is a part of the HCV Strategy Group, a two-year project funded by The California Endowment. Click here to see the HCV Strategy Map

Hcvinprison.org - Hcvinprison.org
The National Hepatitis C Prison Coalition provides support to prison inmates who are suffering from hepatitis.

HCV
This virus was tentatively termed hepatitis non-A, non-B virus, however after the cloning and sequencing of its genes, it was called hepatitis C virus (HCV)

Coinfection with Hepatitis Viruses and HIV
Public Health Service (USPHS) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) HCV-Specific Recommendations on Prevention of Opportunistic Infections in Patients with HIV

HCV
NJ HCV Anonymous Page We are a 12 step meeting, that meets every Wednesday, from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at the Alanon Association 384 Seventh Ave. Newark, NJ

HCV - Cirrhosis Of The Liver

Cirrhosis Of The Liver
Title: Cirrhosis Of The LiverCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 12/31/1997Last Editorial Review: 12/1/2005

Hepatitis C
Title: Hepatitis CCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 12/31/1997Last Editorial Review: 9/17/2005

Google Toolbar Button: Hepatitis C
Add Hepatitis C to your Google Toolbar to Share and Discover Hepatitis C from Anywhere.

Hepatitis C
Title: Hepatitis CCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 12/31/1997Last Editorial Review: 9/17/2005

HCV - Ability to Culture Hepatitis C Virus Leads to Research Advancements

Ability to Culture Hepatitis C Virus Leads to Research Advancements
By overcoming the difficulties of culturing live HCV, scientists are now capable of studying the virus more closely. We anticipate this progress will open the door to hepatitis C treatment and prevention....

MedMira Rapid Test
The start of the New Year was accompanied by the European Patent Office granting a patent for a rapid HCV test. Now that the technology is here, let's hope the test proves accurate, with high levels of selectivity and specificity....

A Breakthrough Discovery for Hepatitis C
The state of Florida has recently produced a study illuminating the replication and mutation of the Hepatitis C virus. This kind of progress represents a giant leap forward in tracking this persistent virus, which likely means more accurate and efficient...

Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s Appointment
Title: Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s AppointmentCategory: Doctor's ViewsCreated: 5/13/2005Last Editorial Review: 5/13/2005

Hepatitis B
Title: Hepatitis BCategory: Diseases and ConditionsCreated: 1/26/2001 11:58:00 AMLast Editorial Review: 9/21/2005

HCV - What is Hepatitis C?(NC)-Hepatitis C is an infectious

What is Hepatitis C?

(NC)-Hepatitis C is an infectious virus that is carried in the blood and harms the liver. About 240,000 Canadians are infected, many of whom are unaware that they even have it. The number of people with hepatitis C is increasing in Canada and around the world, primarily among those who share needles and other drug equipment. An estimated 5,000 Canadians - mostly young people - get this virus each year. p>

Although the hepatitis C virus has been around for a long time, it was only identified in 1989. It causes inflammation of the liver, which often progresses to cirrhosis (scarring that makes it difficult for the liver to function normally). Of the estimated 5,000 people that are newly infected each year, up to 70 percent experience no symptoms. For some, symptoms may not show up for 20 or 30 years. In the meantime, they may, unknowingly, be infecting others. That is why it is important to know if you are at risk and how to take preventative action.

If you think you have hepatitis C, or that you may be at risk, visit your doctor and ask for the simple blood test for this disease. For more information, contact a health care professional, and visit Health Canada's Web site at www.healthcanada.ca/hepc.

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