Hepatitis C is a disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus. This disease mainly affects the liver, but other important organs, such as the kidneys or thyroid gland, may also be affected. If after infection with the hepatitis C virus, the human body has not been able to cope with it on its own or during treatment, and the virus continues to multiply for more than 6 months, then the disease has become chronic. Chronic hepatitis C occurs quite often, on average in 3 out of 4 people infected with hepatitis C. In one in four people the disease goes away on its own, and often a person learns about it by chance many years later. A virus is a tiny particle that can only be seen with an electron microscope. Viruses can only reproduce in living cells. Outside of a living organism, viruses usually die quickly. The hepatitis C virus is a piece of genetic material (ribonucleic acid, or RNA) surrounded by a protein shell and an additional outer shell. As a result of virus multiplication in human liver cells (hepatocytes), their function is disturbed and they may die, while the viruses that have emerged from them continue to affect more and more cells. The virus is usually denoted by the Latin letters HCV, which stands for Hepatitis C Virus.

The hepatitis C virus is found in large quantities in the blood and other body fluids of an infected person. Infection most often occurs when the blood of an infected person enters the blood or damaged skin/mucous membranes of another person. The highest risk of infection with hepatitis C virus is in people who inject drugs. Infection is possible during medical manipulations, tattooing, piercing, cosmetic procedures, manicures or pedicures if non-sterile needles or other instruments are used. At home, you can get infected by sharing razors (with blades), manicure (pedicure) accessories with other family members.

What to do in order to prevent infection and how not to infect others?

1) For cosmetology procedures, including tattoos and piercings, go to organizations that have the necessary permits to provide relevant services, whose specialists have been trained in safe working practices and use sterile instruments (disposable or reusable).

2) At home, use only your own razors, manicure (pedicure) accessories, toothbrushes, towels and other hygiene products and do not allow their use by other family members.

3) Use barrier means of protection (condoms) to prevent sexual transmission.

4) Before planning a pregnancy, it is recommended that the couple be tested, including for hepatitis C virus.

Hepatitis C can be detected only with the help of a set of specialized tests, which can be conditionally divided into 3 groups: 1) blood tests that indicate current infection with the virus or previously transferred hepatitis C; 2) blood tests that reflect liver inflammation, as well as liver function; 3) studies that help to assess the size of the liver, the state of its tissue and other abdominal organs (ultrasound and other instrumental studies). The main importance belongs to the first group. These are primarily tests for antibodies, which are produced in the body in response to the appearance of the virus. To denote antibodies, the prefix anti- is more often used. In full, it looks like this: anti-HCV. Antibodies come in two classes - IgG and IgM. The main class of antibodies is apti-HCV IgG, which are produced in both acute and chronic hepatitis C. Apti-HCV IgG (sometimes only apti-HCV is indicated) is tested for all patients when they want to check whether they have hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C has been a curable disease for many years! Taking a course of special antiviral drugs leads to complete elimination of the virus from the human body and recovery from hepatitis C. Most patients may be prescribed tablets for 2-3 months. Most patients can be prescribed to take tablets for 2-3 months. But it is important to remember that the treatment of hepatitis C has many peculiarities, so only a doctor should prescribe drugs. A person who has been cured of hepatitis C can no longer infect other people.

Department of propaedeutics of children’s diseases

translated Ismoilov R.