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Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C conditions and Treatment in London

Hepatitis C is a liver infection that causes inflammation of the liver. The Hepatitis C virus causes this liver infection and can lead to severe liver damage if left untreated. This virus commonly spreads when an individual comes in contact with the blood of an infected individual. There are several antiviral medications available for the treatment of people with ongoing or chronic hepatitis C. People can also get cured of Hepatitis C infection by using these medications.

A significant issue facing the majority of people with Hepatitis C is that they don’t get tested and have no idea that they are carrying this viral infection. This is because some people can go several years without showing any symptoms. Regular screening is very important to your well-being, whether you show symptoms or not.

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Common symptoms of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C infection always starts in its acute phase before worsening into a chronic or long-term infection. You may notice mild to no symptoms in the acute stage of Hepatitis C, which makes it more difficult to diagnose. If you show symptoms in the acute stage, they may be in the form of fatigue, fever, jaundice, muscle aches and nausea.

Those with chronic Hepatitis C may experience different symptoms, and these symptoms may not appear for many years. You may only notice symptoms when the Hepatitis C virus has damaged the liver.

Some of these symptoms include:

  • Loss of appetite
  • Getting easily bruised
  • Bleeding easily
  • Fatigue
  • Dark coloured urine
  • Weight loss
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
  • Swollen legs
  • Spider angiomas
  • Hepatic encephalopathy causing drowsiness, slurred speech and confusion
  • Itchy skin
  • Build of fluid in the stomach

You may have acute Hepatitis C without it progressing into a chronic or long-term infection. If you detect the infection in the early stages, you can clear the infection from your body, and this is known as spontaneous viral clearance. Your healthcare practitioner might advise antiviral therapy to clear acute hepatitis C.

Causes of Hepatitis C

The Hepatitis C virus causes this viral infection. This infection is spread when an infected person’s blood comes in contact with the bloodstream of another individual. There are so many types of Hepatitis C infection, and they are known as genotypes. We have over 70 subtypes and seven genotypes of Hepatitis C, and genotypes 1 and 3 are the most common in the UK and other parts of Europe.

Treatment for Hepatitis B may differ based on the type of viral genotype. The introduction of newer antiviral medications makes it possible to treat a variety of genotypes.

Risk factors

If you are at a high risk of exposure or have any of the following, then you should go get tested. They may include:

  • Babies from a mother infected with Hepatitis C
  • Anyone who inhales, injects, or snorts illegal drugs
  • Pregnant people during pregnancy
  • Anyone who undergoes a liver test and the cause is unknown
  • People with long-term haemodialysis
  • Men who have sex with men
  • Anyone who has been in prison
  • People infected with HIV
  • People with haemophilia treated before 1987
  • Partners of people who have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C
  • People who are sexually active and want to begin pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP to prevent HIV
  • People who get organ transplants or blood donation before 1992

Health complications associated with Hepatitis C

Chronic or long-term hepatitis C can lead to severe complications, such as:

  • Liver failure: If your liver gets scarred for too long, it can lead to liver failure. If this is not attended to early, it can lead to death.
  • Liver cancer: Liver cancer is not common to everyone, as only a small percentage of people infected with Hepatitis C have liver cancer.
  • Cirrhosis: This is the scarring of the liver, and liver scarring affects the functioning of the liver. You may experience this after long years of infection with the Hepatitis C virus.

Prevention of Hepatitis C

Taking certain precautions can protect you from this viral infection. You should do the following to reduce your risk of getting infected with Hepatitis C virus, including:

  • Practice safe sex: Having sex without the use of condoms with new sexual partners increases your risk of getting infected. Try reducing the number of sexual partners you have or preferably have just one. The chances of people having sex with one another and no third party getting infected with the Hepatitis C virus are low.
  • Refrain from the use of illegal drugs: If you make use of any illicit drug, you can reach out to an expert for help.
  • Be cautious when getting tattoos or body piercing: When you want a tattoo or body piercing, you should find out how their materials are being cleaned and ensure they use only sterile needles. If they are unwilling to answer your questions, go somewhere else. Only use places that you deem satisfactory.

Get tested for Hepatitis C

At STI Clinic UK, your sexual health and well-being are a priority for us. We offer Hepatitis C test if you are in London or the environs and feel you might have been recently exposed to this virus. Our team of medical professionals will be sure to provide professional diagnosis, treatment, and advice if needed. Call us today to book an appointment!