Adnan iqbal12-10005

Topic : Hepatitis C

What is Hepatitis C?Hepatitis C is an infectious disease of liver which is caused by Hepatitis C virus. It causes the inflammation of liver. Initial attack of HCV converts in chronic hepatitis in 85% of the infected people. The chronic hepatitis leads to scarring of liver called “cirrhosis” which finally leads to liver failure, liver cancer and other complications.

Genotype of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis c virus is a RNA virus. It has six different genotypes. Though these differences are very minute but enough to produce hepatitis C. These different types are hepatitis 1a, 1b and similarly hepatitis 2 and 3 are also there. In U.S most of the people are affected by hepatitis 1 genotype and in Pakistan hepatitis 2 and 3 prevalent.

prevalence

In U.S initially the number of people affected by HCV is 17,000 annually. In Pakistan rate of affected persons are lesser than U.S. it usually affect the people ranging from 40-60 years of age.

Symptoms

75% of the affected persons do not show the symptoms. Those who show symptoms include• Fatigue• loss of appetite • aches of muscles• yellowing of eyes and skin• loss of liver functions

Causes

1. “needle” or syringe 2. Through blood transfusion 3. From infected mother to child4. Through sexual intercourse with infected person5. Usage of infected instruments to a healthy person

Diagnosis (dx)

1. Screen test2. Recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA)3. Direct PCR for HCV

Treatment (Rx, Tx)

Pegylated “interferon-alfha” with guanosine nucleoside analogue “ribavirin” is used for HCV. The duration and the dosage depends upon the type of viral genotype.

Preventions (px)1.Prevention awareness program2.Avoid from used syringe.3.Adopt safe needle-usage/disposal techniques. 4.Avoid multiple sexual partners.5.Avoid sharing razor with other. 6.Screening test for HCV must be done before transfusion of blood and its product.