Synonyms in the broadest sense Liver inflammation, liver parenchymal inflammation type C, acute and chronic viral hepatitis C, hepatitis C virus (HCV), infectious jaundice of virus type C, hepatitis non-A-non-B (NANB), post-transfusion hepatitis. Definition Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus and most commonly transmitted via blood and … Hepatitis C
Causes Causes of hepatitis C infection are in most cases transmission of the virus via blood contact. This can be due to a lack of hygiene standards for tattoos, piercings or the use of syringes and needles (especially in the drug scene), blood products (blood transfusions), organ transplants or dialysis. Transfusions through needle-stick injuries or … Causes | Hepatitis C
Infection Infection with a hepatitis C virus usually occurs through blood contact. If infected blood – even small amounts, such as on an already used syringe – is brought into the bloodstream of a healthy person, an infection is quite likely. The risk of infection via blood products (e.g. in the course of a transfusion) … Infection | Hepatitis C
Frequencies Worldwide, about 3% of the population is chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus, in Germany the infection rate is 0.5%. This means that there are about 400,000 infected persons in Germany. Every year about 5000 new cases are added. It should be mentioned that 80% of all drug addicts (intravenous drug application) in … Frequencies | Hepatitis C
Complications Approximately 80% of all adult hepatitis C infections occur as a chronic infection that causes no symptoms at the beginning of the disease and is therefore discovered late. The hepatitis C virus has a damaging influence on the liver cells and puts them under chronic “stress”. Within 20 years, the liver cells of 20% … Complications | Hepatitis C
Drugs Interferon Alpha is a messenger substance produced by the body that activates immune cells of the virus defence (lymphocytes). However, since the activity of the lymphocytes is normally not sufficient to contain hepatitis C, interferon alpha is added therapeutically to increase the activity to a sufficient level. However, since interferon alpha is excreted by … Drugs | Hepatitis C
Vaccination So far there is no approved vaccination against the Hepatitis C virus. The only protection against infection with the virus is to avoid blood-blood contact with hepatitis C infected persons. In addition, there are no measures to prevent infection after possible contact with the pathogen (post-exposure prophylaxis). However, a lot of research has been … Vaccination | Hepatitis C
Drink hepatitis C and alcohol The consumption of alcohol has negative effects on the infection with hepatitis C. On the one hand, drinking alcohol increases the risk of developing cirrhosis of the liver or liver cancer. Secondly, it worsens the course of hepatitis C infection. Studies have found that patients infected with the virus who … Drink hepatitis C and alcohol | Hepatitis C
Incubation period for hepatitis A The incubation period is the time between infection with the pathogen and the appearance of the first symptoms. This is about 2-6 weeks for the hepatitis A virus. The incubation period is followed by the prodromal stage. The prodromal stage is the period of time in which signs or early … Incubation period for hepatitis A | Hepatitis A
Diagnosis In the patient interview (anamnesis), the path-breaking symptoms and causes can be identified or other causes can be excluded. For example, specific questions can be asked about previous hepatitis A vaccinations or recent trips abroad. During the physical examination, an acute hepatitis A infection often reveals a painful pressure in the right upper abdomen … Diagnosis | Hepatitis A
Therapy A therapy of a harmless hepatitis A is not necessary in most cases. A light diet, bed rest and general hygiene measures to protect the environment from infection are the general measures.Patients with fecal incontinence should be isolated over the infectious period. The most important part of the therapy is the elimination of additional … Therapy | Hepatitis A
ProphylaxisImmunizationVaccination To avoid a viral infection of the liver, a vaccination against hepatitis A should be administered as a precautionary measure. This active vaccination is usually administered as a combination vaccination together with the Hepatitis B vaccine. The body forms specific antibodies against the dead vaccine (killed viruses in the vaccine) and guarantees a vaccination … ProphylaxisImmunizationVaccination | Hepatitis A
