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Hepatitis C

LabsMD offers two tests to aid in the diagnosis of hepatitis C: Hepatitis Profile and the Hepatitis C Antibody Test.

Hepatitis Profile $896.43
Hepatitis C Antibody Test $-378.51
View Included Tests

Our Ultimate STD Panel also includes the Hepatitis C Antibody Test:
Ultimate STD Panel $-183.00

 

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. The liver becomes inflamed.

How does it occur?

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. The virus is spread mainly through contact with infected blood. Sometimes it is spread through sexual contact. You can get it from:

Before 1990 one of the most common ways to get hepatitis C was blood transfusion. However, now blood donors are screened for the virus.

The disease can be spread by people who do not have any symptoms and may not know they carry the virus. These people are called asymptomatic carriers.

What are the symptoms?

You may not have any symptoms of hepatitis until several weeks or months after you are infected with the virus. Or you may never have any obvious symptoms.

If you are one of the few people who have symptoms, the illness usually begins with these flulike symptoms:

Other early symptoms may include:

Some people develop a chronic form of the disease without ever having had any obvious symptoms. Liver damage can occur slowly without symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms of chronic hepatitis C do begin, they are often persistent fatigue, weakness, and loss of appetite, as well as some of the other symptoms listed above.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will ask about your medical history and symptoms. Especially important is your history of hepatitis risk factors such as IV drug abuse.

Your health care provider will examine your skin and eyes for signs of hepatitis. Your provider will check your abdomen to see if the liver is enlarged or tender. You may have blood tests to see if your liver is inflamed and if you are infected with the hepatitis C virus.

If your health care provider thinks you may have chronic hepatitis or serious liver damage, or if the diagnosis is uncertain, you may have a liver biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure in which a needle is used to remove a small amount of tissue. This is done through the skin over the liver after the area is numbed with an anesthetic. The sample of tissue is sent to a lab for tests to check for damage to your liver.

How is it treated?

The usual treatment is rest and a healthy diet. In addition, your health care provider will recommend that you avoid alcohol for at least 6 months. Usually it is not necessary to stay at the hospital.

You may be given interferon, a drug that boosts your immune system, or other antiviral drugs.

Doctors are continuing to search for the best ways to treat hepatitis C. As new information becomes available, treatments change. You should discuss possible new treatments with your health care provider.

How long will the effects last?

Symptoms of first infection, when they occur, may last 1 to 6 weeks and then they usually go away completely.

Some people who have hepatitis C develop the chronic form of the disease. This means the virus continues to affect their liver for several months or years. The continued inflammation can damage the liver, resulting in cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and possible liver failure. Your health care provider may check your blood every few months for signs of chronic liver disease.

Infection with the hepatitis C virus increases your risk for liver cancer.

How can I take care of myself?

What can be done to help prevent the spread of hepatitis C?

There are no shots that protect against hepatitis C. If you have hepatitis C, you can help prevent its spread by following these guidelines:

Hepatitis Profile $896.43
Hepatitis C Antibody Test $-378.51
View Included Tests

Our Ultimate STD Panel also includes the Hepatitis C Antibody Test:
Ultimate STD Panel $-183.00

Related Topics: Epididymitis, Genital Herpes, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia, HIV, HIV-2, HIV Recent Exposure, HIV-2 Recent Exposure, STD Testing, STD Testing for Recent Exposure, Syphillis, Urethritis, Vaginitis, Viral Hepatitis.

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