|
Type of
infection: |
Viral |
|
Infectious Organism: |
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) |
|
Location in the body: |
Blood and other body
fluids (saliva, semen, vaginal fluid). |
|
Symptoms: |
Most
infected people (80%) have no symptoms.
Jaundice (yellow
skin or eyes), fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, loss of
appetite.
|
|
Method
of spread: |
I.V.
drug use causes most infections.
Blood exposures on the job
(i.e. healthcare workers, etc.).
Infected mother to her baby
during birth.
Sex with an
infected partner (vaginal, anal sex).
|
|
Consequences: |
Chronic liver disease occurs
in 70% of chronically infected persons which can lead to cirrhosis,
liver cancer, and death.
Number one reason
for liver transplant in United States.
|
|
Number
of new cases per year: |
40,000 |
|
Total
number infected now: |
2,700,000 chronically
infected |
|
Tests
to see if you have it: |
Blood test; should be
tested if ever injected illegal drugs or received blood products before
1992.
|
|
Treatment: |
Medications available which
can get rid of the virus in up to 40%.
No vaccine
available.
|
