All About Hepatitis C – Causes, Symptoms, Types & Dietary

What is Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a virus that damages the liver over time and causes chronic inflammation. Infected needles are a common method of transmission. New antiviral medications can treat HCV, but many people are unaware they are infected. They might not exhibit symptoms until their liver disease has progressed to the point where it is failing.

A viral infection that affects your liver is hepatitis C. It causes swelling and inflammation, which eventually causes tissue damage to your liver. The term "hepatitis" refers to liver inflammation. Hepatitis can be brought on by a variety of factors, some of which are viruses. But hepatitis C is much more likely to stay in your body for a long time than other viral hepatitis causes.

Your liver suffers serious damage when you have chronic inflammation for a long time. In fact, in the United States and other parts of Africa (Nigeria) hepatitis C is one of the leading causes of liver failure and liver transplantation. The majority of people are unable to detect liver inflammation. They don't show signs until serious damage has been done.

How prevalent is the C virus?

In the past ten years, hepatitis C infection rates have nearly quadrupled in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that nearly 4 million people in the United States may be infected with hepatitis C, and many of them are unaware of it. Currently, the CDC recommends that all adults in the United States undergo a hepatitis C screening. The estimated number of infections worldwide is 60 million.

What is hepatitis C's main cause?

A virus that spreads through blood contact is the cause of hepatitis C. When infected blood enters the body of an uninfected person, transmission occurs. In the United States, sharing intravenous needles is the most common scenario. Throughout the world, unsterilized equipment in medical settings is a frequent source of transmission.

The following are some of the most common ways in which people can contract HCV:

• Getting a tattoo or body piercing with contaminated equipment 

• Getting medical procedures or treatments in countries with poor infection control practices 

• Being born to a mother who has HCV 

• Sharing personal hygiene items, such as razors or toothbrushes, with someone who has HCV 

• Having unprotected sex with a person who has HCV (although this is rare).

It is possible to contract HCV in rare instances by sharing personal items with an infected person or by having sexual contact with them, but these modes of transmission are less common.

 

What Effects Does Having Hepatitis C Have On Me?

There are several stages of hepatitis C infection.

Incubation

An incubation period occurs when a virus infects a person for the first time. During this time, it is busy replicating in your body. The virus continues to multiply until it reaches a point at which your body can recognize the infection. After that, your immune system starts working, and you start to feel the effects.

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Acute infection

Acute infection The incubation period for hepatitis C can last anywhere from two weeks to six months. When your immune system kicks in, you enter the acute stage of an infection. Additionally, this is when you begin to exhibit symptoms. Most popular diseases at the intense stage cause side effects of sickness, like fever and irritation in your body. But in hepatitis, most of the inflammation is in your liver, so you may not even notice it.

Acute hepatitis C infection affects only 20% of people with symptoms. Antivirals can be used to treat the infection in those who are showing symptoms. However, the majority lack symptoms and are unaware of the need for treatment. Up to three months are required for the acute stage. Up to 20% of people are able to successfully combat the virus during this time and eliminate it from their bodies on their own.

Chronic infection

Chronic infection The majority of people, or 80%, develop a long-term, chronic infection because they are unable to clear the virus on their own. This indicates that their livers are always enlarged and inflamed. Cirrhosis is the process by which liver damage is caused by chronic hepatitis. Scarring eventually develops as a result of the liver's constant inflammation.

Over several decades, cirrhosis progresses slowly. If you have additional liver damage from other causes, such as drinking too much alcohol, it might pass more quickly. If your liver is in better overall condition, it might move more slowly. But the end result is that your liver can't do its job because of scar tissue. After 20 years, chronic hepatitis C infection is associated with a 25% chance of cirrhosis.

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Signs and Symptoms

Blood contact is how the hepatitis C virus (HCV) gets around. When infected blood enters the body of an uninfected person, transmission occurs. The most common way this occurs in the United States and other parts of Africa (Nigeria) is by sharing intravenous drug injection needles. However, there are numerous unintentional ways you could come into contact with another person's blood.

For instance:

• working with needles or other sharp objects, particularly in the healthcare industry.

• tattoos and body piercings done with equipment that is not sterilized.

• sharing a toothbrush or razor with someone who may have bled while using it.

• Occasionally, through sexual contact that exposes blood.

Hepatitis C was frequently transmitted prior to 1992 through organ transplants and blood transfusions. Before using donated blood or organs, healthcare providers now routinely screen for the virus. Healthcare professionals advise anyone who received a transfusion or transplant prior to 1992 to have their HCV levels checked, even though these factors no longer pose a threat.

Who is most frequently infected with hepatitis C?

In the United States and other parts of Africa, you are more likely to contract hepatitis C if you:

• Make use of drugs administered intravenously.
• Having HIV
• before 1992, received a blood transfusion or organ transplant.
• received blood clotting factor prior to 1987 for hemophilia.
• between the years 1945 and 1965.
• were born to a hepatitis C-positive mother.

What symptoms does hepatitis C present?

The majority do not exhibit any symptoms. During the acute phase of the infection, a small number may exhibit symptoms. They may resemble the symptoms of liver disease, such as stomach pain and jaundice, or they may be vague, flu-like symptoms. When your liver starts to fail, you may begin to experience symptoms of late-stage liver disease much later.

What are some of the early symptoms of hepatitis C?

The following are examples of acute hepatitis C symptoms that may resemble flu symptoms:

• Fever.

• Fatigue.

• Aches in the body.

• Loss of appetite.

They may likewise look like the side effects of intense liver disappointment, for example,

• Jaundice is the yellowing of white eyes and lighter skin.

• Pain in the abdomen, particularly in the upper right quadrant.

• indigestion and vomiting

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• both light-colored and dark-colored feces.

What are the side effects of cutting edge liver infection?

When you begin to experience the effects of cirrhosis after many years of chronic infection, you may experience late warning symptoms of hepatitis if you do not have early warning symptoms. You might experience all of the aforementioned symptoms as well as:

• Having fluid buildup in your arms and legs

• swelling (ascites) with fluid in your abdomen.

• Skin that itch

• Weight loss with no explanation.

• bleeding and bruising easily.

• hepatic encephalopathy, difficulty thinking or remembering, and confusion

Diet for Hepatitis C: Foods Allowed and Foods Disallowed

There is no prescribed diet for people with hepatitis C; however, cutting out foods that aren't very nutritious and eating healthy foods is often a good place to start.

The liver is the organ that must react with everything you eat and drink. If you have hepatitis C, your liver is already dealing with inflammation. Proper nutrition can improve your liver's health and even lessen its impact. This can result in scarring (cirrhosis) and diminished liver function over time. To put it another way, your liver is handling a lot. Healthy eating may help alleviate some of this stress.

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What you should include in your diet Getting the right nutrients is important for your overall health. It has a direct impact on weight management as well as supporting a healthy immune system.

If you have hepatitis C, maintaining a healthy weight is especially important because obesity or being overweight can cause hepatic steatosis, a condition in which excess fat builds up in the liver. This might make it harder to control hepatitis C.

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Additionally, people who have hepatitis C are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, so it's important to watch how much sugar you eat.

For a healthy diet, the MyPlate plan from the US Department of Agriculture and institute of dietetics Nigeria recommends the following:

Vegetables And Fruits 

Fruits and vegetables supply nutrients like:

Fiber, folate, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and potassium are all essential nutrients in a healthy diet. 

Vary the kinds of vitamins you eat to get the most of them.

According to a research of animal study from 2013, leafy green vegetables may be especially helpful in lowering the amount of fatty acids in your liver.

When purchasing vegetables in cans, choose those with no salt or sugar added.

Protein

Protein Protein-rich foods are very important. Protein aids in the repair and replacement of hepatitis C-damaged liver cells. Good protein options include:

Fish, seafood, nuts, eggs, and soy products The amount of protein you consume each day is determined by your age, sex, and level of activity. Two to six and a half ounces of protein is usually sufficient.

When you're short on time, green smoothies with protein powder can help you reach your protein and fruit and vegetable goals.

If you have cirrhosis, your doctor may tell you to eat more protein to lower your risk of muscle loss and fluid buildup.

Dairy Products 

Dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese are good sources of calcium and protein.

Adults without lactose intolerance require two to three servings per day. This amounts to roughly one and a half tablespoons of natural cheese or one cup of milk, yogurt, or soy milk.

Whole grains 

Whole grains are a good source of fiber in your diet, which helps your bowels work well and lowers your risk of heart disease.

Whole grains consist of:

Whole-grain bread with sprouts, pasta made of whole wheat, buckwheat, or quinoa, whole oats made of brown or wild rice, and whole oats 

Whole grains typically contain more:

• fiber

• B nutrients

• zinc

• magnesium

• iron

On the off chance that you have Celiac infection, eat just without gluten grains, like whole wheat, quinoa, and amaranth.

Age, gender, and level of activity determine how much grain you should eat. Adults should consume 3 to 8 ounces of grain foods daily on average. Whole-grain foods should make up at least half of those servings.

Caffeine And Coffee

If you like to drink coffee or tea, ask your doctor about including it in your insurance plan.

It has been demonstrated that men with chronic HCV infection may benefit from taking as little as 100 mg of caffeine to guard against advanced hepatic fibrosisTrusted Source.

To better comprehend these findings and how they affect other groups of people, additional research is required.

Green tea

Different fixings in food varieties are in early examinations for their possible advantages for persistent hepatitis C, like phenolic catechins from green tea and oligomeric proanthocyanidin from blueberry leaves.

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In addition to being a refreshing beverage, green tea has general benefits. As we learn more about its effects on hepatitis C, adding it to your routine may be beneficial.

What to Avoid

Because calories matter, consider both quantity and quality. Overeating can result in obesity or weight gain, both of which can raise your risk of developing diabetes.

A low-iron diet for people with chronic hepatitis C may also be recommended by your doctor or dietitian to protect your liver. Iron overload in the body can be harmful from chronic hepatitis C.

These suggestions will differ depending on your needs and medical history.

In general, you should avoid the following foods:

fatty, greasy, processed, frozen, and canned foods from fast food chains.

Reduce Your Salt Intake 

by avoiding sodium-rich dishes.

Salty foods can make you retain water, which raises your blood pressure. Cirrhosis sufferers may be at risk from this.

An occasional shake of the salt shaker may be fine in the early stages of your disease, but you should talk to your doctor or dietitian about the right amount of sodium for you.

Reduce Your Intake Of Sugar

Sweets can cause weight gain when consumed in large quantities. Instead of completely eliminating sugar from your diet, it may be beneficial to indulge occasionally to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can have your cake and eat it too in this way.

Healthy Eating Tips And Techniques

What to do

• Each day, consume six to eight glasses of water and other fluids.

• Establish a routine for eating that works for you. This could be three substantial meals per day or four to five frequent smaller meals.

• If at all possible, go organic. Your food's exposure to toxins and pesticides may be reduced as a result of this.

• Instead of beef or other fattier meats, opt for sources of lean protein.

• Eat as many whole, unprocessed foods as you can.

• Seasonings and herbs without salt add flavor.

Don’t do

• To keep your health at its best, eat more than you need to.

• Sprinkle salt on your food.

• Consume alcoholic drinks.

• Consume a lot of processed foods.

Unless advised otherwise by your healthcare provider, supplement your diet extensively to meet your daily nutrient requirements.

FAQ

How does hepatitis C spread and what is it?

A viral infection that affects the liver is hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is spread by sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia, receiving blood transfusions prior to 1992, or being born to a mother with the virus. 

What are the most typical hepatitis C symptoms?

The most common symptoms are fatigue, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).

How is hepatitis C treated and diagnosed?

Blood tests are used to make a diagnosis of hepatitis C, and removing the virus from the body with antiviral medication may be part of the treatment.

Are there various kinds of hepatitis C?

There are, in fact, various genotypes of hepatitis C. The virus has six genotypes, each of which responds differently to treatment and has different 

Can hepatitis C be cured, and how likely is treatment to work?

geographic distributions.

The effectiveness of antiviral treatment for hepatitis C varies based on the genotype of the virus and other factors, such as liver damage.

What are the long-term effects of hepatitis C left untreated?

Hepatitis C can cause damage to the liver, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer if it is not treated.

How effective is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

Hepatitis A and B vaccines can help prevent co-infection with these viruses, but there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

What dietary modifications can aid in hepatitis C management?

Avoiding alcohol, limiting consumption of processed foods and saturated fats, and consuming a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are all dietary modifications that can assist in the management of hepatitis C.

During pregnancy, can hepatitis C be passed from mother to child?

Indeed, hepatitis C can be passed from a mother to her child during pregnancy, albeit the gamble of transmission can be decreased with suitable clinical consideration.

How can I avoid contracting hepatitis C?

If you have a high risk of contracting hepatitis C, you should get tested and avoid sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia. You can also practice safe sex.