Understanding Hepatitis C: Causes and Modern Treatments
Hepatitis C is a liver-inflaming viral disease spread mainly through blood contact. The article covers its causes, including drug use and vertical transmission, and highlights modern DAA treatments like Harvoni and Sovaldi that offer effective, low side-effect cures. Understanding these aspects is vital for prevention and management of this silent threat.
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Hepatitis C is a contagious viral infection that leads to liver inflammation. It’s often difficult to detect and currently has no available vaccine. Knowing what causes Hepatitis C and how it’s treated is essential for prevention and management.
Primary Causes of Hepatitis C
The virus spreads through blood-to-blood contact, not through casual contact like hugging or sharing utensils. Key ways to contract Hepatitis C include:
Sharing needles or drug paraphernalia such as cotton and spoons.
Though rare, sexual activity can transmit the virus, especially with multiple partners.
Infected mothers can pass the virus to their babies during birth.
Sharing personal hygiene tools like razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers contaminated with blood poses a risk.
Before 1992, transfusions and organ transplants were common sources, but now rigorous screening has minimized this risk.
Hepatitis C Treatment Options
Treatment depends on whether the infection is acute or chronic and on the specific virus strain. Mild acute cases might resolve without intervention. However, if the infection persists, medical treatment is necessary. Traditional therapies involved drugs like ribavirin and interferon, which caused side effects. Today, advanced medications called Direct Acting Agents (DAAs), such as Harvoni, Sovaldi, Zeplis, and Olysio, offer targeted, effective treatment with fewer side effects, usually administered orally, and boast high cure rates.
