Saturday, December 17, 2005


Hepatitis C Facts - Is There A Vaccine For Hepatitis C?(NC)-No, not for hepatitis

Is There A Vaccine For Hepatitis C?

(NC)-No, not for hepatitis C. There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. To prevent further damage to your liver, your doctor may advise you to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Could I give hepatitis C to someone else?

Yes, as far as we know, once you have hepatitis C, you can always transmit it to someone else if they come in contact with your blood. If you have hepatitis C, you can't donate blood. You should avoid sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes, because the virus is spread through blood to blood contact.

Although the virus isn't spread easily by sexual contact or from a mother to her unborn baby, the risk of transmitting the virus is not absent. Therefore, talk to your doctor first if you want to have children. p>

For more information on hepatitis C visit Health Canada's Web site at www.healthcanada.ca/hepc.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.



Hepatitis C Facts - Why


Why
Devon Herald Express - Robbie looks like a typical well and happy 33-year-old. Yet only four years ago the Torquay former decorator was a chaotic heroin addict who shared needles, hung out with prostitutes and tried any drug he could lay his hands on.

'
The Payson Roundup - Mail call editor '

- Cash blow for families in
Glasgow Evening Times - Families of Hepatitis

FDA Fast-Tracks
POZ.com - Email to a friend FDA Fast-Tracks

Expert calls for jail needle exchange
ninemsn - show 34 per cent of prisoners have

Friday, December 16, 2005


Hepatitis C Facts - How to Choose a Doctor



How to Choose a Doctor
Title: How to Choose a Doctor
Category: Doctor's Views
Created: 6/17/2005
Last Editorial Review: 8/9/2005
Pill Form of Therapy for HCV Coming Closer
This report is an update of therapy progress presented at the AASLD (American Academy for the Study of Liver Diseases). Three separate approaches are covered. Yes, progress is being made....

Hepatitis C Facts - Treating Chronic Mutational Hepatitis B with Chinese Medicine Vitalliver (Vigconic

Treating Chronic Mutational Hepatitis B with Chinese Medicine Vitalliver (Vigconic Suppositories)


Treating chronic mutational hepatitis B with Chinese medicine Vitalliver (Vigconic suppositories)


ZHANG GUAN HUA, LIANG CHAO, ZHENG WAN PIN


Chengdu University of TCM, Hepatitis Laboratory in the attached hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan, China

Research Method:

Quantitative determination by contrasting HBV-DNA of cases before and after the treatment.

Number of cases: 25 (n)

Case Selection: Between the age of 16 and 65, in accordance with the diagnosis standards pf chronic Hepatitis B, with negative e antigen and positive e antibody, HBV-DNA > 1 104 cp/mL.

Detection Method: All the blood samples are detected by Sichuan Clinical Detection Center; PCR-ELISA quantitative determination is used within detection range of 1 104 - 1 107-8, HBV-DNA, unit of measurement is cp/mL.

Direction Plan: one suppository provided by Vigconic (International) Ltd. Bid. The course of treatment is six months, the tracing observation after withdrawal lasts six months.

Observation index:


  1. HBV-DNA response after the treatment.

  2. Lasting HBV-DNA response (six months after withdrawal).
    p>

Criterion of Therapeutic Effect:


  1. If HBV-DNA volume 1 104 cp/mL: 4/25 (16%)

  2. Lasting response:


HBV-DNA volume 1 104 cp/mL: 2/25 (8%)

Among the results of lasting response, 16 blood serum samples are detected through fluorimetric quantitative determination PCR by the instruments of PE.USD, H-7700 in the second attached hospital of Guangzhou Medical College. The result is in accordance with that in Sichuan Clinical Testing Center. (8 cases among it 1 102 cp/mL). The testing range of this testing method is 1 102 - 1 107-8 cp/mL.

Conclusion

The reason for the repeatedly abnormal liver function of Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients lies in the repeatedly duplication of HBV after infection, which leads to fibrosis of liver, then cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is commonly accepted that if CHB shows the transformation of HBeAg/Anti-HBe, HBV-DNA becoming negative, liver function returning to normal state, the disease is relieved. However, parts of patients with the transformation of HBeAg/Anti-HBe still remain positive in HBV-DNA and the pathological change in the liver continues. Because HBV-DNA occurs promoter mutation in the anterior C section (1896 necleoside G-A variation) or in the C section (1762 nucleoside T variation, 1764 G-A variation), HBeAg cannot come into being. Therefore, the HBeAg in the patient s blood cannot be detected, while the virus can keep on duplicating and fixing itself. Through sequential assay of nucleic acid, it proves that promoter mutation appears in 30%-60% of HBeAg negative Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) in the anterior C section or in the C section. In some provinces and cities of the People of China, the percentage of promoter mutation appears in HBeAg negative Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) in the anterior C section or in the C section is from 17.6% to 78.9%. Eight out of the 25 cases of our observation go through the sequential assay of nucleic acid carried out by the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong. It all proves to have HBV-DNA mutation. The chronic mutational Hepatitis B is infectious and apt to cause cirrhosis and liver cancer since the present medicines of antivirus and immuno-modulator do not produce the expected therapeutic effects.

Vitalliver suppository is made up from a formula of Chinese herbs, including Ginseng, Deer Horn, Cordyceps, Radix Astragali, Frudctus Cnidii, Semen Cuscutae, etc. The formula is mainly for strengthening the body resistant and primarily for reinforcing Kidney Qi, which produces good therapeutic effects in treating chronic mutational Hepatitis B. The mechanism is probably that through the regulating of immune system, the duplication of virus is inhibited and meanwhile the liver is protected, so it can produce a lasting therapeutic effect. No adverse reaction and severe accident happens during clinical observation, so it is safe for using. Vitalliver is bringing hopes to the treatment of chronic mutational Hepatitis B.

* The second stage of clinical trial would be carrying out by the Microbiology Department of the University of Hong Kong and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

For more information, please visit: http://www.vigconic.com


Or, contact:


William Yip cs@vigconic.com
p>
5/F, Cheung Wah Building, Sheung Heung Rd,


Kowloon, Hong Kong


Tel: 852-27656200


Fax: 852-27645314
p>

Chengdu University of TCM, Hepatitis Laboratory in the attached hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan, China


webmaster@vigconic.com

Thursday, December 15, 2005


Hepatitis C Facts - Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment



Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
Title: Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
Category: Health Facts
Created: 7/13/2005
Last Editorial Review: 7/14/2005
Japanese Researchers Make Progress
This article is from one of the largest Japanese newspapers. As it shows, researchers in Japan are also working hard to develop a better treatment for HCV. Scientists the world over are doing their best to find a less toxic...
Hepatitis B
Title: Hepatitis B
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 1/26/2001 11:58:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 9/21/2005

Hepatitis C Facts - Norwich Hepatitis C Support Group


Norwich Hepatitis C Support Group
information on hepatitis C in the UK, download leaflet, original hip-hop hep C song, newsletter. Read other people's stories about living with hepatitis C. read people's stories

Methadone Anonymous -- View Forum - HIV / HCV in the News
Marijuana just how bad is it for us with Hep C??? truetildeath13 3 297 Sat Jul 30, 2005 7:55 am truetildeath13 HIV Tracking System May Be Scrapped Bev 0 162 Tue Jul 26, 2005 10:04 am Bev AIDS Crisis Brings

Hepatitis C Facts - VA National Hepatitis C Program


VA National Hepatitis C Program
bullet, Treatment Recommendations for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C (version 5, September 2003). bullet, Treatment of Patients with Cirrhosis and Portal

Management of Chronic Hepatitis C: Clinical Focus
How well do the results of initial liver biopsy predict measures of disease progression and outcomes of treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C,

Hepatitis C: All-about-hepatitisC treatments, risk factors, and
Chronic hepatitis C can have serious consequences, including liver cirrhosis, Chronic hepatitis C can be a serious disease if left untreated,

HEPATITIS C INFO CENTER - With Daily Hepatitis C Updates
Is HCV Viral Load a Predictor of Progression of Chronic Hepatitis C? HIV and Hepatitis.com Dec 13 2005 7:43PM GMT. Hepatitis C patients to burden NHS

The Doctor Is In - Treatment and Care for Chronic Hepatitis C
Questions from Readers and Answers by Medical Experts on Treatment and Care for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection

Hepatitis C Facts - Neuropsychological impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis C


Neuropsychological impairment in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Back&nbsp. Neuropsychological Impairment in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C. ABSTRACT: Hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States and it significantly reduces quality of life. ... examine cognitive functioning in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to investigate relationships among ... Sixty-six patients with chronic hepatitis C and 14 patients with other ...

Hepatitis C Top Articles
HIVandHepatitis.com: The Internet publication with accurate, timely and cutting-edge information on treatment and vaccines for chronic hepatitis B. ... Chronic Hepatitis C. Sponsor ... 2b (PegIntron) and Ribavirin in Nonresponders with Chronic Hepatitis C. Consensus interferon/CIFN (Infergen) is a ...

Hepatitis B and C -- familydoctor.org
Information about hepatitis B and C from the American Academy of Family Physicians. ... What are chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C? ... What are chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C? ...

PBS - Who Cares: Chronic Illness in America -- Hepatitus C
... Resources. Chronic Hepatitis C: Current Disease Management ...

Wednesday, December 14, 2005


Hepatitis C Facts - Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s Appointment



Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s Appointment
Title: Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s Appointment
Category: Doctor's Views
Created: 5/13/2005
Last Editorial Review: 5/13/2005
VX-950 To Get Fast Tracked
As you may recall we've been saying VX-950 is the revolutionary new therapy to watch for HCV. Now it looks like the FDA agrees this treatment is quite promising and deserving of faster approval than a lesser worthy approach. Another...
Ultrasound
Title: Ultrasound
Category: Procedures and Tests
Created: 12/31/1997
Last Editorial Review: 10/15/2005

Hepatitis C Facts - Hepatitis C


Hepatitis C
Title: Hepatitis C
Category: Diseases and Conditions
Created: 12/31/1997
Last Editorial Review: 9/17/2005

Hepatitis C Facts - Ways You Can Get Infected With Hepatitis C(NC)-Hepatitis C is

Ways You Can Get Infected With Hepatitis C

(NC)-Hepatitis C is spread through contact with infected blood. Here are just some of the ways in which you can be infected with this virus:

Sharing needles, straws, pipes, spoons and other drug-related equipment.

(At least two-thirds of all new hepatitis C infections are drug-use related. Cleaning equipment with bleach does not always effectively kill the virus) p>

Getting a tattoo, body piercing or acupuncture from an operator who does not use sterile equipment or techniques

Being born to a mother with hepatitis C

Getting pierced by a needle or sharp equipment that has infected blood on it ( in a hospital, workplace situation, etc.) p>

People who had blood transfusions before the testing of blood donations became mandatory in 1990 may also be at risk. And, while the risk is low, it is also possible to become infected by sharing personal household articles such as a razor or toothbrush with an infected person. The risk of transmission of hepatitis C during sex is also low, unless both parties have open bleeding sores.

It is estimated that 240, 000 people in Canada are currently infected with hepatitis C, of whom only 30% know they have the virus.

If you think you may be at risk, either now or from past risky activities see a doctor. The virus can be detected with a simple blood test, and there are steps and medications you can take to successfully minimize the effects of the disease if your diagnosis is positive. For more information, visit Health Canada's Web site at www.healthcanada.ca/hepc.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.



Hepatitis C Facts - Treating Chronic Mutational Hepatitis B with Chinese Medicine Vitalliver (Vigconic

Treating Chronic Mutational Hepatitis B with Chinese Medicine Vitalliver (Vigconic Suppositories)


Treating chronic mutational hepatitis B with Chinese medicine Vitalliver (Vigconic suppositories)


ZHANG GUAN HUA, LIANG CHAO, ZHENG WAN PIN


Chengdu University of TCM, Hepatitis Laboratory in the attached hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan, China

Research Method:

Quantitative determination by contrasting HBV-DNA of cases before and after the treatment.

Number of cases: 25 (n)

Case Selection: Between the age of 16 and 65, in accordance with the diagnosis standards pf chronic Hepatitis B, with negative e antigen and positive e antibody, HBV-DNA > 1 104 cp/mL.

Detection Method: All the blood samples are detected by Sichuan Clinical Detection Center; PCR-ELISA quantitative determination is used within detection range of 1 104 - 1 107-8, HBV-DNA, unit of measurement is cp/mL.

Direction Plan: one suppository provided by Vigconic (International) Ltd. Bid. The course of treatment is six months, the tracing observation after withdrawal lasts six months.

Observation index:


  1. HBV-DNA response after the treatment.

  2. Lasting HBV-DNA response (six months after withdrawal).
    p>

Criterion of Therapeutic Effect:


  1. If HBV-DNA volume 1 104 cp/mL: 4/25 (16%)

  2. Lasting response:


HBV-DNA volume 1 104 cp/mL: 2/25 (8%)

Among the results of lasting response, 16 blood serum samples are detected through fluorimetric quantitative determination PCR by the instruments of PE.USD, H-7700 in the second attached hospital of Guangzhou Medical College. The result is in accordance with that in Sichuan Clinical Testing Center. (8 cases among it 1 102 cp/mL). The testing range of this testing method is 1 102 - 1 107-8 cp/mL.

Conclusion

The reason for the repeatedly abnormal liver function of Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) patients lies in the repeatedly duplication of HBV after infection, which leads to fibrosis of liver, then cirrhosis and liver cancer. It is commonly accepted that if CHB shows the transformation of HBeAg/Anti-HBe, HBV-DNA becoming negative, liver function returning to normal state, the disease is relieved. However, parts of patients with the transformation of HBeAg/Anti-HBe still remain positive in HBV-DNA and the pathological change in the liver continues. Because HBV-DNA occurs promoter mutation in the anterior C section (1896 necleoside G-A variation) or in the C section (1762 nucleoside T variation, 1764 G-A variation), HBeAg cannot come into being. Therefore, the HBeAg in the patient s blood cannot be detected, while the virus can keep on duplicating and fixing itself. Through sequential assay of nucleic acid, it proves that promoter mutation appears in 30%-60% of HBeAg negative Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) in the anterior C section or in the C section. In some provinces and cities of the People of China, the percentage of promoter mutation appears in HBeAg negative Chronic Hepatitis B (CHB) in the anterior C section or in the C section is from 17.6% to 78.9%. Eight out of the 25 cases of our observation go through the sequential assay of nucleic acid carried out by the Department of Microbiology of the University of Hong Kong. It all proves to have HBV-DNA mutation. The chronic mutational Hepatitis B is infectious and apt to cause cirrhosis and liver cancer since the present medicines of antivirus and immuno-modulator do not produce the expected therapeutic effects.

Vitalliver suppository is made up from a formula of Chinese herbs, including Ginseng, Deer Horn, Cordyceps, Radix Astragali, Frudctus Cnidii, Semen Cuscutae, etc. The formula is mainly for strengthening the body resistant and primarily for reinforcing Kidney Qi, which produces good therapeutic effects in treating chronic mutational Hepatitis B. The mechanism is probably that through the regulating of immune system, the duplication of virus is inhibited and meanwhile the liver is protected, so it can produce a lasting therapeutic effect. No adverse reaction and severe accident happens during clinical observation, so it is safe for using. Vitalliver is bringing hopes to the treatment of chronic mutational Hepatitis B.

* The second stage of clinical trial would be carrying out by the Microbiology Department of the University of Hong Kong and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

For more information, please visit: http://www.vigconic.com


Or, contact:


William Yip cs@vigconic.com
p>
5/F, Cheung Wah Building, Sheung Heung Rd,


Kowloon, Hong Kong


Tel: 852-27656200


Fax: 852-27645314
p>

Chengdu University of TCM, Hepatitis Laboratory in the attached hospital of Chengdu University of TCM, Sichuan, China


webmaster@vigconic.com

Tuesday, December 13, 2005


Hepatitis C Facts - Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment



Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
Title: Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
Category: Health Facts
Created: 7/13/2005
Last Editorial Review: 7/14/2005
VX-950 Making Progress
Here's an exciting one, VX-950 we've been watching for a while. This protease inhibitor is making good progress (and is orally administered, no less). While being studied as another Interferon treatment enhancer, it could be very helpful if it replaced...
CAT Scan
Title: CAT Scan
Category: Procedures and Tests
Created: 12/31/1997
Last Editorial Review: 8/28/2005
Return To Health Week 8:
Blink: Hepatitis C Bio, Pics, News and Views from BlinkBits
Subject: Return To Health Week 8:
Added by glog on Dec 12, 2005 4:38 pm (GMT -4)

I ve had a break from blogging for the past month or so. It wasn t that I decided to take a break more a case of just not publishing what I was writing. I can imagine people thinking the lack of recent posts meant that, ...... Read more...

Save, Share and Discover Info from Anywhere with BlinkBits Bookmarklets


Hepatitis C Facts - [Behavior of Owren's Thrombotest in acute viral hepatitis, viral


[Behavior of Owren's Thrombotest in acute viral hepatitis, viral
[Behavior of Owren's Thrombotest in acute viral hepatitis, viral heaptitis of prolonged duration, acute post-hepatitis atrophy of the liver and its relation

Viral hepatitis
ivral hepatitis / vrial hepatitis / viarl hepatitis / virla hepatitis / vira lhepatitis / Viral ehpatitis / Viral hpeatitis / Viral heaptitis / Viral

GeneralPropertiesOfIR01
File Format: Microsoft Word 97 - View as HTML
lymphocytic choriomeningitis in mice, viral heaptitis). Autoimmune diseases mediated by CTL (myocarditis after coxsackievirus B infection).

USDA Funded Projects
disease distribution will be applied to newly emeerged diseases such as postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome and Michigan rabbit viral heaptitis.

VIRAL HEPATITIS :: kerb.lambsw.com :: Viral Hepatitis
viral hepa5titis, viral hepa6itis, viral heaptitis, viral hep0atitis, vi9ral hepatitis, fviral hepatitis, viral hepatitisw, viral hepatitias,

Hepatitis Immunization Rates Remain Less than Half for Gay and
Prev by Date: Lamivudine does not increase the efficacy of interferon in the treatment of mutant type chronic viral heaptitis B;

Hepatitis C Facts - Hepatitis C Facts


Hepatitis C Facts
Hepatitis C Facts Click on the links below for educational materials and facts on Hepatitis C. www.allabouthepatitisc.com www.roche.com www.intermune.com www.liverfoundation

Hepatitis - C Disease Hepatitis Liver
Valeant Forms Hepatitis C [ Click To Open In A New Window ] Hepatitis C - Facts Factsheet provides information on the symptoms of this disease, its incubation period and

Hepatitis C Facts - Is There A Vaccine For Hepatitis C?(NC)-No, not for hepatitis

Is There A Vaccine For Hepatitis C?

(NC)-No, not for hepatitis C. There are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. To prevent further damage to your liver, your doctor may advise you to be vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Could I give hepatitis C to someone else?

Yes, as far as we know, once you have hepatitis C, you can always transmit it to someone else if they come in contact with your blood. If you have hepatitis C, you can't donate blood. You should avoid sharing personal items like razors and toothbrushes, because the virus is spread through blood to blood contact.

Although the virus isn't spread easily by sexual contact or from a mother to her unborn baby, the risk of transmitting the virus is not absent. Therefore, talk to your doctor first if you want to have children. p>

For more information on hepatitis C visit Health Canada's Web site at www.healthcanada.ca/hepc.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial "fill" items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.


Monday, December 12, 2005


Hepatitis C Facts - Hepatitis C definition - Hepatitis C health and medical information produced by doctors


Hepatitis C definition - Hepatitis C health and medical information produced by doctors
... At least half of HCV patients develop chronic hepatitis C infection ... Treatment is via anti-viral drugs. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, sometimes in combination ...

Sloan-Kettering - Find a Clinical Trial
Descriptions of some of the newest clinical trials at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. ... if it can help patients with chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C may cause inflammation in the ... In some patients, chronic hepatitis C may result in cirrhosis (severe scarring ...

Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program
... treatments currently being used by people living with chronic hepatitis C. Choices is available for you to browse or ...

Living With Chronic Hepatitis C
... Living With Chronic Hepatitis C. Description. This pamphlet uses a question and answer format to provide information on ...

Hepatitis C Facts - A Summary of Chronic Hepatitis C InfectionHepatitis C is a

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.

Hepatitis C Facts - How to Choose a Doctor



How to Choose a Doctor
Title: How to Choose a Doctor
Category: Doctor's Views
Created: 6/17/2005
Last Editorial Review: 8/9/2005
A Good AASLD Meeting Summary
This is a terrific overview article regarding the AASLD meeting. Liz Highleyman did a fantastic job of condensing the key aspects and announcements. One of the most interesting updates/corrections of known information is the upward measurement of the number of...
Liver Cancer, Hepatitis C Connection Gets Clearer
Title: Liver Cancer, Hepatitis C Connection Gets Clearer
Category: Health News
Created: 12/8/2005 1:59:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 12/8/2005 1:58:50 AM

Sunday, December 11, 2005


Hepatitis C Facts - Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s Appointment


Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s Appointment
Title: Doctor: Getting the Most from Your Doctor s Appointment
Category: Doctor's Views
Created: 5/13/2005
Last Editorial Review: 5/13/2005

Hepatitis C Facts - Glucocorticosteroids for viral hepatitis C (Cochrane Review)


Glucocorticosteroids for viral hepatitis C (Cochrane Review)
UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. All rights reserved. Glucocorticosteroids for viral hepatitis C (Cochrane Review) Brok J, Mellerup MT, Krogsgaard K, Gluud C ABSTRACT What's new in

Hepatitis
Anti-influenza drugs may be useful Amantadine used in treatment of influenza A and in viral Hepatitis C is a viral condition - the emphasis is on getting rid of the virus. Hepatitis B is

vitacost.com - Science & Research - Hepatitis
Minophagen C (SNMC) on hepatic histography in non-A, non-B chronic active hepatitis. In Viral Hepatitis C, D, E, ed. T Shikata, RH Purcell, T Uchida. Amsterdam: Excerpta Medica, 1991, 205 9. 12 Crance