What is Hepatitis C – Its related Symptoms, Causes and TestsHealth Care ProvidersUpdated on May 12, 2017 View more like this | Visit India, UN | Contact Lal PathLabs |
Hepatitis is a chronic condition caused by the virus of Hepatitis in the human system. It’s commonly categorized into five types, namely – Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Of these, Hepatitis C virus is claimed to be the most strenuous one. It’s an infection that causes chronic damage to the liver and other neighboring organs of the body. If a person experiences Hepatitis C symptoms, he/she must get tested right away in order to avoid complications.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Most people with this condition do not really experience any symptoms. However, when the condition turns server, the following Hepatitis C symptoms are noted:-
• Jaundice
• Pain in the stomach
• Appetite loss
• Fatigue feeling
• Nausea
Causes of Hepatitis C
Most Hepatitis C causes relate day to day activities. It’s typically spread through blood or body fluids of an infect person to a healthy individual.
• Injection of the same needle as that used for a Hepatitis C positive patient
• Sharing drugs
• Having sexual intercourse with someone who has HIV or STD
• Having rough sexual intercourse
• Receiving the infection from the mother at the time of birth.
It is vital to note that the virus of Hepatitis C is not spread via food, water or casual contact with an infected person.
Tests for Hepatitis C
After understanding what Hepatitis C and its symptoms are, let’s take a look at its related tests.
Screening of Hepatitis C begins by ordering a blood test for Hepatitis C. The blood test looks for the presence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the body through the antibodies released by the immune system in response to the disease.
HCV antibody non-reactive test result means that no HCV antibodies are present in the bloodstream. This also means that the person is not Hepatitis C positive. He/she might have some other disease or infection which is mirroring Hepatitis C.
HCV antibody reactive result, on the other hand, confirms the presence of Hepatitis C virus in the body. A further test is ordered with a view to look for the source and the depth of the disease. It looks for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA). Molecules that play an important role in the regulation of the genes. The results speak the following:-
• In the case HCV RNA are spotted in the bloodstream, the person is currently infected with the virus of Hepatitis C.
• In case no HCV RNA are detected, the patient is not infected by the virus of Hepatitis C.
The condition can be treated with the help of essential medications and a proper treatment. Anyone who experiences the symptoms must take an action at the earliest to avoid a life-threatening situation.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Most people with this condition do not really experience any symptoms. However, when the condition turns server, the following Hepatitis C symptoms are noted:-
• Jaundice
• Pain in the stomach
• Appetite loss
• Fatigue feeling
• Nausea
Causes of Hepatitis C
Most Hepatitis C causes relate day to day activities. It’s typically spread through blood or body fluids of an infect person to a healthy individual.
• Injection of the same needle as that used for a Hepatitis C positive patient
• Sharing drugs
• Having sexual intercourse with someone who has HIV or STD
• Having rough sexual intercourse
• Receiving the infection from the mother at the time of birth.
It is vital to note that the virus of Hepatitis C is not spread via food, water or casual contact with an infected person.
Tests for Hepatitis C
After understanding what Hepatitis C and its symptoms are, let’s take a look at its related tests.
Screening of Hepatitis C begins by ordering a blood test for Hepatitis C. The blood test looks for the presence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the body through the antibodies released by the immune system in response to the disease.
HCV antibody non-reactive test result means that no HCV antibodies are present in the bloodstream. This also means that the person is not Hepatitis C positive. He/she might have some other disease or infection which is mirroring Hepatitis C.
HCV antibody reactive result, on the other hand, confirms the presence of Hepatitis C virus in the body. A further test is ordered with a view to look for the source and the depth of the disease. It looks for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA). Molecules that play an important role in the regulation of the genes. The results speak the following:-
• In the case HCV RNA are spotted in the bloodstream, the person is currently infected with the virus of Hepatitis C.
• In case no HCV RNA are detected, the patient is not infected by the virus of Hepatitis C.
The condition can be treated with the help of essential medications and a proper treatment. Anyone who experiences the symptoms must take an action at the earliest to avoid a life-threatening situation.
