The Pathophysiology, Current Statistics (Occurrence) and Transmission of Hepatitis C

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The Pathophysiology, Current Statistics (Occurrence) and Transmission of Hepatitis C

            Hepatitis C is a condition that causes inflammation and infection with serious damages to the liver, like liver cancer. The disease develops following infection by Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The microorganism causes both acute and chronic hepatitis, with a seriousness that varies from a trivial durable for limited weeks to a staid period infection (World Health Organization, 2019). This paper, therefore, discusses the pathophysiological of hepatitis C, its current statistics – occurrences, ways of the viral transmission, and treatment of the disease. Additionally, it describes two scenarios where a patient may be suspected of having hepatitis C as well as educational guidelines to patients regarding the condition. 

Pathophysiology of Hepatitis C

            The disordered physiological process associated with hepatitis begins when there is a tenacious infection during the acute stage of the disease as a result of weak CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells responses to the microbe. The weakness of these vital cells leads to their failure in controlling replication of the virus. Consequently, a chronic infection of the virus manifests when HCV fails to appear to be cytopathic (Pawlotsky, 2004). Locally driven immune response hence results in nonspecific liver lesions. Subsequently, local inflammation prompts fibrogenesis whereby stellate cells of hepatitis plays a key role. This makes the patient vulnerable to liver cirrhosis which is majorly contributed by other factors like prolonged consumption of alcohol and viral co-infection. The degradation of the cells and fibrous thickening of the tissue, therefore, creates a higher risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (Pawlotsky, 2004). Hepatitis C hence causes serious liver damage that may lead to liver cancer.

The Prevalence of Hepatitis C

            The current statistics on hepatitis C – occurrence – is relatively high hence it is a pandemic. Globally, approximately 71 million people are infected by chronic HCV (WHO, 2019). Predictably, a momentous sum of people with chronic infections has the possibility of developing cirrhosis or liver cancer. Most importantly, an estimated number of 399,000 people die of hepatitis C, typically due to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, antiviral medication treats over 95% of people infected with hepatitis C Virus, hence decreasing death risks from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Moreover, it is estimated that 1.75 million tested positive to HCV infections in 2015 worldwide, an addition to the existing cases (World Health Organization, 2019). Therefore, the rise of hepatitis C infection is relatively high, hence preventive measures should be taken into place.

Transmission of Hepatitis C

            Since hepatitis C is chiefly transmitted through blood, the virus is, therefore, mainly and normally spread through drug injections using shared unsterilized contaminated jab equipment. Additionally, transmission can also occur through reuse or recycling of medical equipment due to insufficient disinfection and pasteurization of the equipment, particularly nozzles within a health facility or setup. Furthermore, transfusion of unscreened blood and its products may significantly result in hepatitis C virus infection. Moreover, contact with blood during sexual practices greatly contributes to the transmission of HCV. The sexual transmission case is common, especially in the case of homosexuality – gays – who are HIV positive or pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV infection. Additionally, transmission can also be through mother to child.

Testing of Hepatitis C 

            HCV infections are generally asymptomatic, hence there are rare diagnoses at the early stages of infection. Moreover, developed cases of chronic hepatitis C infection is normally undiagnosed since it remains asymptomatic until the advancement of serious secondary liver damages. However, its diagnosis can be done by testing for anti-HCV antibodies using a serological test for the identification of hepatitis C positive cases. Consequently, anti-hepatitis C virus antibodies positive cases are subjected to a nucleic acid test for HCV ribonucleic acid which is done to ascertain chronic infection. Typically, a number of individuals with a strong immune system can clears the virus without any treatment. Varieties of non-invasive tests can, therefore, be done for positive HCV in examining the degree to which they live has been damaged. 

Treatment of Hepatitis C

            Normally, new cases of hepatitis C infection are cleared through the immune response, but in some individuals no treatment is needed. However, HCV infection can be cured through a therapeutic process using pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals – DAAs within a short treatment duration depending on the extent of liver damage. Therefore, the primary stages of HCV infection are manageable through immune response while chronic HCV infection is treated by DAAs.

Two Scenarios in Which Hepatitis C Patients can be Suspected

            The first scenario for suspicious development is when a patient is exposed to some of the risk factors while the second scenario is prevailing signs and symptoms. Some of the risk factors include drug injections, prison settings and other closed settings, intranasal drug usage, receivers of HCV-infected blood, tattoo piercing, HIV infection, and sex with infected partners. In addition to these risk factor, a nurse can suspect a case of HCV infection when a patient has clinical manifestations like fever, nausea, queasiness, severe abdominal pain, murky urine, declined appetite, grey-colored feces, joint pain and discomfort, fatigue, and jaundice – yellow staining of the skin and the whites of the eyes. Therefore, with a combination of the above symptoms and risk factors, a nurse can suspect HCV infection.

Patient Education on Hepatitis C

            The patient should be made aware of the following to stay safe from HCV infections: HCV patients should take seriously preventive measures which include distancing and avoiding all the risk factors associate with HCV infections. Additionally, they should take keen precautions and seek medication with consistent and systematic nursing for early medical analysis of chronic liver disease. Moreover, patients should also seek and use appropriate medication including DAAs therapy. Furthermore, patients should go for hepatitis A and B vaccination for prevention and protection from hepatitis viruses.