Hepatitis C: Prevention and Harvoni As Treatment
Hepatitis C is one of the different types of hepatitis disease which primarily affects the liver with a viral infection caused by hepatitis C. Just like the other hepatitis viruses. This disease causes a few noticeable symptoms that the infected individuals do not know they already have it.
With this said, there are many forms of hepatitis C or HCV for short, wherein the most common form is type 1. The type 1 form is considered as severe and dangerous than any other types of Hepa C.
Now, to know more information about Hepatitis C, its prevention and treatment, then join us and read on!
Knowing More of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral infection which primarily affects the liver. With this said, the illness affects different individuals in several ways and stages.
Incubation Period. This is the stage of the illness, which is the time between the primary exposure to the virus and the beginning of the disease. This period can last from 14 to 80 days with the average of 45 days.
Acute Hepatitis C., This type of hepatitis, is a short-term condition that only lasts for its first six months after the virus has invaded your body. After that duration, most of the infected individuals will be able to get rid of the virus on their own.
Chronic Hepatitis C. This type of hepatitis is the opposite of acute hepatitis C since this is a long-term infection. With this said, the virus will not be able to clear on its own. Thus, it can lead to serious health complications like Cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Cirrhosis. This development leads to inflammation. This is where the healthy liver cells are replaced with scar tissue over time. The development usually takes about 20 to 30 years for this stage to take place. However, it can be sped up if you drink alcohol or have HIV.
Liver Cancer. After Cirrhosis, liver cancer will most likely happen. This is why you need to make sure that you are following your doctor’s advice. Your healthcare provider will get you regular screenings because there are usually no symptoms during the early stages.
How to Prevent Hepatitis C
Remember that this type of condition can only be transmitted through blood. However, the amount of your exposure to even tiny amounts of blood is enough to infect you.
With this said, let us discuss how you will be able to prevent hepatitis C from spreading. Here are the following actions to take:
Avoid Sharing Needles. Sharing needles is recognized as the highest risk for getting infected with hepatitis C. The said action might be present to those individuals that are intravenous drug users, wherein needles are most commonly shared.
Now, even sharing a straw when snorting cocaine will help transmit hepatitis C from one person to another. Not to mention that bleeding in the nose usually happens when taking cocaine in this way.
Avoid Direct Exposure to Blood. This is a concern that is specially related to medical workers or healthcare providers since they are the ones that are most exposed to blood or blood products. Because of this, the individual with any tools that draw blood in the workplace should be thrown out safely, properly, or sterilized to help prevent hepatitis c infection from spreading.
Avoid Sharing Personal Care Items. There are many things or products that we use in our daily lives, which will occasionally be exposed to blood. There are instances wherein people will accidentally cut themselves while shaving or have bleeding gums while brushing their teeth.
Remember that even a small amount of blood can infect a person. Thus, it is important that you do not share your personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, nail and hair clippers, and scissors to keep the virus at bay. Now, if you already have hepatitis C, then make sure that you separate your personal belongings.
How is Hepatitis C Not Spread?
To avoid rumors from spreading and instilling fear, you should know how hepatitis C is not spread. This condition is not spread by casual contact such as hugging, kissing, breastfeeding, coughing, sneezing, and sharing eating utensils.
However, if there are instances like a bleeding or cracked nipple from a mother with hepatitis C, then she should stop nursing until the nipples have healed.
Harvoni as Treatment
Harvoni is a medication that is a combination of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir. This is used as a treatment for chronic hepatitis C, which can be bought at any local pharmacy and even with a Harvoni discount coupon.
This drug works by reducing the amount of virus in the infected individual’s body. This helps the immune system (body’s defense force) to fight the infection, which would help your liver recover later on. Thus, you should take this medicine as told by your doctor or healthcare provider.