Hepatitis C infects an estimated 170 million persons worldwide and 3.9 million persons in the United States. Co-infection with HIV is common and rates among HIV positive populations are higher.

Currently, serological tests are available to check for infection. In addition, PCR can be used for more sensitivity and to elucidate a genotype for the infection. There are 6 major known genotypes.

The infection is spread by blood exchange and sexual contact. Before serological tests became available, it was often caused by the use of medical products derived from blood, and by blood transfusion.

Although it can be spread sexually, and vertically (from mother to child), transmission by these routes is not as likely as with hepatitis B. In most developed countries, it is usually seen primarily in intravenous drug users.

In most cases, acute hepatitis C infection has no symptoms and becomes chronic, and can cause long term damage to the liver, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Treatment is mainly based on interferon, combined with other drugs; though this action does not guarantee results. Currently, the preferred treatment is pegylated interferon together with ribavirin.

Alternative therapies are proposed that can perhaps be considered ways to reduce the liver's duties, rather than treat the virus itself. Those attempts may slow the course of the disease and keep the quality of life of the person.

As a sample extract of silybum marianum and licorice are known for their HCV related effects. The first provides some generic help to the ephatic functions and the second one have a mild antiviral effect and rises blood pressure.

It is also well known that even small amounts of alcol makes HCV virus proliferation faster.

Though hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C have similar names (because they all cause liver disease) the viruses themselves are quite different.

See also: sexually transmitted disease

External Links