Signs and Symptoms:

• HCV is an indolent infection and usually causes no symptoms at all until cirrhosis occurs.

• Some persons have mild flu-like symptoms, dark urine, light stools, jaundice, fatigue and fever.

• Arthralgia, Fever Chills and Nigh Sweats, Fatigue, Fluid Retention, Lymphadenopathy, Myalgia, Pruiritis.

• Abdominal pain, Apetite changes, Weight Loss, Diarrhea, Irritable bowel syndrome,

Transmission:

• Sexual Contact

• Blood transfusion

• Mother to Child (if mother is infected with Hepatitis C virus)

• Health care worker who are exposed to blood and body fluids

• Injecting Drug users

• Household contact with infection person.

• Traveling in the area where Hepatitis B is very common.

• HCV is not spread by sneezing, hugging, coughing, food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or casual contact.

Diagnosis:

• Anti-HCV (antibody to HCV)

• Qualitative tests to detect presence or absence of virus (HCV RNA)

• Quantitative tests to detect amount (titer) of virus (HCV RNA)

Prevention:

• Till yet their is no Vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C virus.

• Don't share Sharp edge item which might have blood on them (for eg; needles, razor, knife, scissors)

• If you are hepatitis C virus positive, don't donate blood or any organ

• For health care workers they must follow the routine precautions while handling the needles and sharp objects.

• Body piercing or tatoo can cause hepatitis, if the instruments are not properly sterilized.

Treatment:

• Interferon and ribavirin are two drugs available for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, they can be give separately or in combination.

• Consult your doctor for the proper prescription drug and to evaluate for any liver disease.