Hepatitis-C Treatment in Brevard County, FL

Hepatitis refers to the inflammation of the liver. Liver inflammation can result from viral hepatitis, as well as certain genetic disorders, chemicals, alcohol, and drugs. Additionally, autoimmune hepatitis can occur when an overactive immune system mistakenly attacks the liver. When inflamed, the function of the liver can be negatively impacted. The most common types of infectious hepatitis are hepatitis-A virus, hepatitis-B virus, and hepatitis-C virus. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic.

In many cases hepatitis or inflammation to your liver will improve and even reverse if you remove or minimize the factors that cause liver inflammation like: treating infectious hepatitis, stopping drinking alcohol, discontinue medications/vitamins that may harm liver, address fatty liver disease, etc.

Hepatitis-C is one of the three most common types of infectious hepatitis. Hepatitis-C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis-C virus (HCV). This virus causes liver infection and inflammation, leading to severe liver damage. Also called Hep-C, hepatitis-C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure and/or liver cancer if left untreated. It can also become life-threatening, so treatment is necessary.

In most cases, hepatitis-C can be cured. It’s essential for someone who is hepatitis-C positive to be treated timely to prevent further liver damage and spread. Suggested treatment is direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medication. While there is currently no effective vaccine for hepatitis-C, antiviral medicines can cure over 95 percent of those suffering from this virus.

Hepatitis-C symptoms can vary from person to person. Additionally, this virus may develop without any signs or symptoms. Sometimes, symptoms of this virus are non-specific and short-lived. With there being three different phases of hepatitis-C, symptoms typically differ depending on what stage the patient is in. For example, in the earliest stage of the virus—called the prodromal phase—patients may notice a fever, joint pain or arthritis, a rash, or even edema, which is swelling. Symptoms of the subsequent two phases—preicteric and icteric phases—include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue
• Myalgia
• Anorexia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal Pain
• Abdominal Swelling
• Abdominal Tenderness
• Diarrhea
• Dark Urine
• Jaundice
• Skin Lesions

Hepatitis-C is transmitted through blood and cerebrospinal fluid. You can get Hep-C if you are exposed to infected blood or cerebrospinal fluid through a break in the skin, for example through a needle stick or a sore. Hep-C can also sometimes be spread from mother-to-child during birth. Hep-C cannot be spread through the air, unbroken skin, kissing, or breastfeeding.

Those who are especially at risk for hepatitis-C include the following:

• People who use injection drugs or did so in the past
• People who have tattoos from unregulated locations
• People with certain medical conditions, like Dialysis patients
• People with HIV infection
• People who shared personal items with someone that has Hepatitis-C
• People who have received transfusions or organ transplants in the US before 1992
• Children born to mothers diagnosed with Hepatitis-C
• Healthcare, emergency medical, and public safety personnel

Chronic hepatitis-C can result in serious health problems like cirrhosis of the liver, liver damage, liver cancer, and liver failure. These serious health problems can become life-threatening.

Yes, it is possible for someone’s immune system to clear their Hepatitis C without treatment.  However, it’s important to note that less than half of those who are infected with hepatitis-C will clear it from their bodies without treatment. Additionally, for more than half of those who are infected with the virus, it will turn chronic. Untreated hepatitis-C can also cause cirrhosis of the liver over time, which can lead to liver failure and/or liver cancer.

Yes, it’s possible to be re-infected with hep-C after being treated and cured or after naturally clearing the virus. If you are someone who injects or shares needles or syringes, we recommend you be tested for hepatitis-C annually.

Each type of hepatitis is a liver infection caused by a different virus. Although they have similar symptoms, they spread differently and affect the liver differently as well. Hepatitis-A is usually a short-term infection. It is spread through an infected person’s stool. Hepatitis-B can be a short-term infection, but it can sometimes become chronic. It is spread through bodily fluids. Hepatitis-C can also be a short-term infection, but it is often chronic. It spreads through the blood. There are vaccines to help prevent hepatitis-A and hepatitis-B, but not hepatitis-C.