Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a disease that affects the liver just like any other type of hepatitis but this variety tends to stay for a longer time in the body, making hepatitis C a chronic form of hepatitis. Hepatitis C is termed as chronic because it simply does not go away once infected and constant monitoring is needed with the help of medical professionals to ensure that no permanent damage is done to the liver. Hepatitis C can stay hidden in the body for a long time but signs like vomiting, joint & muscle pain, nausea, soreness in the liver, jaundice and low intensity fever are some of the give away signs. Hepatitis C can be acquired by contact with contaminated blood and the chances of infection are high among intravenous drug users, blood transfusion patients and hereditary acquisition making hepatitis C a contagious disease in the event of blood passing between a normal person and an infected person.

At present, though there are vaccines available for hepatitis A and E, there is no hepatitis C vaccine available in the world as yet. Huge amounts of money are spent every year by many of the developed nations in finding an effective hepatitis C vaccine. One such alternative to a hepatitis C vaccine is the use of hepatitis core B antigen. In the absence of a hepatitis C vaccine, the hepatitis C disease can only be closely monitored and adequate care should be taken by the affected persons in ensuring a healthy lifestyle to counter the effects of this deadly disease. Though it may take some years to develop an effective hepatitis C vaccine, treatment today consists of a combination of combination of pegylated interferon alfa shots and ribavirin supplements. The harsh reality is that one should follow a healthy lifestyle and avoid substances that put too much stress on the liver to prevent hepatitis C, especially since we do not have a hepatitis C vaccine that can act as a preventive barrier against the disease.