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Treatment for hepatitis C in adults includes antiviral medications to clear the virus in the body. Hepatitis C is a liver infection that can lead to serious liver damage. The hepatitis C virus spreads through contaminated blood. There are many forms of the hepatitis C virus, and the most common is type 1. None is more serious than any other, but they respond differently to a treatment.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C in Adults
- Bruising or bleeding easily
- Poor appetite and fatigue
- Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes
- Itchy skin
- Dark colored urine
- Fluid builds up in your abdomen
- Weight loss
- Swelling particularly in the legs
- Drowsiness and slurred speech
- Confusion
- Spiderlike blood vessels on your skin
Causes and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C
Your risk factor of getting hepatitis increases if you are a healthcare worker or have been exposed to infected blood. Some causes and risk factors may also be due to inhaled illicit drugs or if you have HIV. Hepatitis C may also occur if you were born to a woman with a hepatitis C infection.
How to Prevent Hepatitis C in Adults?
Stop using illicit drugs, particularly if you inject them. Seek help if you are using drugs. Avoid unprotected sexual activity with multiple partners or with any partner whose health may be uncertain. Sexual transmission between monogamous couples may occur, but the risk is low.
Getting tested for hepatitis C is also an important part of the prevention or control of the condition. It helps you find out if you are infected so you can get the lifesaving treatment that can cure hepatitis C. Early detection and screening is important because there is a better success rate and outcome if the disease is caught early before severe conditions.
Treatment for Hepatitis C
- Antiviral medications. Antiviral medications are used to treat hepatitis C infections to kill the virus. Treatment aims to eliminate the Hepatitis C virus from your body at least 12 weeks after you have finished treatment.
- Liver Transplantations. When chronic hepatitis C infection has caused serious complications, liver transplantation may be an option. It is important to note that liver transplants by themselves do not cure hepatitis C. In most cases, the infection is likely to return, requiring treatment with antiviral medication to prevent damage to the transplanted liver.
- Vaccinations. Hepatitis C has no vaccine, but your doctor will probably recommend that you receive vaccines against hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis C can also be complicated by other viruses that can cause liver damage.
Sofosbuvir for Hepatitis C Treatment in Adults
Sofosbuvir is an oral prescription medication that is effectively used in treating hepatitis C in adults. It works by reducing the amount of the hepatitis virus present in the body. However, this drug may not prevent the hepatitis virus to spread to other people. It is always important to take all the necessary precautions to protect yourself from acquiring the virus.
