How To Treat Hepatitis A
The spread of Hepatitis A can be usually stopped by maintaining good hygiene, and having clean water.
Plenty of hospitals today in America have made it important to have a vaccination of Hepatitis A, but in case you dont have one, you can ask from the same to your healthcare provider.
You can call us on the number mentioned or book online with us for a Hepatitis A check or a panel check. We maintain a strong confidentiality agreement with our patients and have adopted minimalist paperwork.
In case you feel you have Hepatitis A, then you can connect with us, and then we can assist you with a proper consultation, checkup and prescriptions followed by other necessary steps. Please avoid any home remedies and usage of over the counter products for Hepatitis A.
What Tests Can Our Womens Health Care Providers Run To Detect Hepatitis C
Many women actually discover that they have hepatitis C after normal blood work during an annual checkup. The blood work may show high levels of liver enzymes, which typically point to inflammation in the liver. If your doctor suspects this may be due to hepatitis C, they may recommend a hepatitis c virus antibody test to see if there are antibodies to the virus in your blood.
Current recommendations are that all adults should be tested at least once in their lifetime. Experts also recommend pregnant women and people with higher risk factors should also be tested for hepatitis c. Talk to our womens health care providers about your health and whether you need to get tested for hep C.
What Is The Treatment For People With Acute Hepatitis C Infection
When people first get hepatitis C, the infection is said to be acute. Most people with acute hepatitis C do not have symptoms so they are not recognized as being infected. However, some have low-grade fever, fatigue or other symptoms that lead to an early diagnosis. Others who become infected and have a known exposure to an infected source, such as a needlestick injury, are monitored closely.
Treatment decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis. Response to treatment is higher in acute hepatitis infection than chronic infection. However, many experts prefer to hold off treatment for 8-12 weeks to see whether the patient naturally eliminates the virus without treatment. Approaches to treatment are evolving. Patients with acute hepatitis C infection should discuss treatment options with a health care professional who is experienced in treating the disease. There is no established treatment regimen at this time.
How effective is hepatitis C treatment? Is hepatitis C curable?
If the hepatitis C RNA remains undetectable at the end of the treatment and follow-up period, this is called a sustained virologic response and is considered a cure. Over 90% of people treated with DAAs are cured. These people have significantly reduced liver inflammation, and liver scarring may even be reversed.
About 5% of people who are treated for HCV infection are not cured by some of the older regimens. These people may still have options for cure with the newer regimens.
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Symptoms Of Hepatitis C In Females: Different Signs In Men And Women
Four million Americans have been infected by Hepatitis C. The main culprit of this disease is the Hepatitis C virus which is a blood-borne virus. Unlike HIV, more people are ending their lives due to this malady. Although HCV has the same effects on each gender, females react differently to it. Therefore, we will discuss the symptoms of hep C in females and how these symptoms differ from the signs of males hep c. In addition, this gender-blind virus is also blind in age and race. So, we will discuss the main factors which differentiate the Hepatitis symptoms in males and females.
The first thing which we should keep under consideration that how Hepatitis C transmitted from one person to another.
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Blood Transfusion: As I mentioned earlier that HCV is a blood-borne virus and it can only transmit through blood contact.
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Needles of Syringe: If a person is using needles of an infected person, he/she are at high risk.
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Tattoo: During getting tattoos on the body, tattoo maker cannot discriminate the person with HCV and chances get higher to be infected with tattoos.
Ordinarily, you cannot diagnose Hep c by symptoms because of late indication of its symptoms. The most affected organ is liver by it. Moreover, it can be prognosticated by a blood test. However, there are several symptoms which may appear with this chronic disease.
Bad Coagulation: Blood clotting becomes difficult in this illness and bleeding becomes easier due to this chronic disease.
Hepatitis C Information For Women
There are a number of specific issues women need to consider regarding hepatitis C.
Mother to child transmission
Transmission of the hepatitis C virus from an infected mother to her unborn child is uncommon and only happens at the time of birth. In fact, it only happens in about 6 babies out of 100 who are born to mothers infected with hepatitis C. If a mother is also infected with HIV then the risk of passing on hepatitis C to the baby is higher.
Hepatitis C has not been found to cause problems during pregnancy.
Breast feeding is considered safe since there is no proof that breastfeeding can transmit hepatitis C but it is recommended that if a womans nipples are cracked and bleeding that she doesnt breastfeed her baby until the nipples are healed.
If you are infected with the hepatitis C virus, the usual amount of time before testing the baby is 18 months. This is because the baby will automatically get the mothers antibodies and it takes this long before the babys body is able to clear out the mothers antibodies.
If you are pregnant or planning to have a child and are hepatitis C positive, it is important to discuss the transmission risk with your consultant. Some medical providers will advise treatment of the womans hepatitis C before having a child.
Sharing of toothbrushes and shaving equipment is the only other situation where a child could be exposed to the virus via a parent who is living with hepatitis C.
Transmission during menstruation
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In Case You Feel You Have Hepatitis A Then What To Do
If you are experiencing some of the symptoms of Hepatitis A, the first thing you should do is to get tested for Hepatitis A.
A small blood sample is required for Hepatitis A testing. You can book a test online with us. We offer confidential STD testing services in NYC.
Knowing is better than ignoring. Don’t ignore your health. Stay informed, get tested today.
STDTestingNYC.Net is a leading online STD Testing website in New York. We offer a wide range of STD tests at an affordable price including the panel test and HIV early detection test.
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Who Is At High Risk And Should Be Tested For Hepatitis C Infection
The U.S. Preventive Health Services task force recommends that all adults born between 1945 and 1965 be tested once routinely for hepatitis C, regardless of whether risk factors for hepatitis C are present. One-time testing also is recommended for:
- People who currently inject drugs or snort drugs, or ever did so, even once many years previously
- People with persistently elevated alanine aminotransferase level, a liver enzyme found in blood
- People who have HIV infection
- Children born to HCV- or HIV-infected mothers
- People who were ever on long-term hemodialysis
- People who got a tattoo in an unregulated setting, such as prison or by an unlicensed person
- People who received clotting factor produced before 1987
- People who received transfusions or organ transplants before July 1992, or who were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C infection
- Health care, emergency medical, and public safety workers after a needlestick, eye or mouth exposure to hepatitis C-infected blood
People who may have been exposed to hepatitis C in the previous 6 months should be tested for viral RNA load rather than anti-HCV antibody, because antibody may not be present for up to 12 weeks or longer after infection, although HCV RNA may be detectable in blood as soon as 2-3 weeks after infection.
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Acute Symptoms Of Hepatitis C
As far as we can tell the acute symptoms of hepatitis C are similar for both men and women and are like the flu. Acute symptoms are typically:
- Appetite loss
- Nausea
- Muscle aches
If symptoms are caught early enough, treatment can be given before complications set in. Acute symptoms appear one to three months after exposure and frequently go unnoticed.
Another complicating factor in early detection and treatment is that men often do not treat their symptoms or their diagnosis as women do. Studies show that men tend to ignore symptoms more often than women and opt not to report symptoms for many illnesses or to seek preventive health care .
What Are Signs Of Hepatitis C
When you first get hepatitis C, it is called acutehepatitis C. About 15% of people who have acutehepatitis C infection clear the virus from their bodies.The other 85% of people develop a chronic hepatitis C infection. Of these, 50 to 80%, if treated,may be cured.
Acute hepatitis C: Most people with acutehepatitis C do not have any signs. If signs occur, theaverage time is 6-7 weeks after exposure, but can beless or more. Some people can have mild to severesigns including:
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Tiredness
- A longer than normal amount of time for bleeding to stop
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Your Risk For Serious Hep C Complications Increases After Menopause
One thing many people dont realize about hepatitis C is that menopause can affect the infection. Estrogen may play a role in reducing how quickly the virus replicates, which can help protect you from liver damage and other issues associated with a chronic hep C infection. However, when estrogen levels drop during menopause, this can lead to a quick worsening of your condition. Hepatitis C typically progresses slower in pre-menopausal women than men, but once you reach menopause, you can see a rapid progression in symptoms and liver damage. So, consider scheduling a hep C test before you reach menopause. This way, you can seek treatment before your natural estrogen levels decrease.
Spontaneous Clearance Of Infection
Studies have demonstrated that on average about 20% of individuals infected with HCV will spontaneously clear the virus after initial infection. Host factors such as IL28b genotype have been associated with spontaneous clearance . Female sex has also been reported as an independent predictor of clearance in a cohort of individuals with acute HCV infection with various modes of transmission . In a cohort of 632 patients with acute HCV infection, factors independently associated with time to spontaneous clearance included female sex , IL28b CC genotype , and HCV genotype 1 . The effect of the IL28b and HCV genotypes on spontaneous clearance was greater in female than in male patients. High rates of spontaneous clearance have also been described in 2 cohorts of women infected peripartum in 1977 with anti-D immunoglobulin contaminated with HCV genotype 1b, one in Ireland and the other in Germany . Large population analyses also support this higher rate of clearance in women. Based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data from 1999 through 2002 in the United States, chronic infection will develop in about 89% of men and 63.4% of women . One study in Egypt in a cohort of > 4000 adults with predominantly genotype 4 HCV infection found the overall clearance rate to be 38.5%. Independent of age and modes of acquisition, infection cleared spontaneously in more women than men in this analysis .
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How Do Women Get Liver Disease C
Liver disease C spreads out from person-to-person through contact with infected blood. If you work in a market where you might come in contact with blood, theres a small risk of exposure. This consists of personal care such as:
- manicurists
- house cleaning
- nursing
To protect yourself, prevent contact with cuts or open sores on patients and clients. Use non reusable latex or non-latex gloves and sterilize equipment after each use . If you operate in the janitorial or housekeeping market, wear gloves to prevent contact with blood from feminine health products.
Liver disease C can likewise be spread to a sexual partner during a menstruation .
Numerous women with the virus are able to have a healthy baby. However, there is a small risk that the infection will be transferred to a baby during pregnancy. If you have hepatitis C and give birth, your baby will be checked for the infection at around 18 months.
What Are The Side Effects Of Treatments For Hepatitis C Infection
Side effects of interferon or pegylated interferon
- The most common side effects of interferon or pegylated interferon include fever, flu-like symptoms, and depression. Patients must be monitored closely for depression. Risk of suicide is a reason to avoid interferons.
- Interferons also reduce white blood cell and/or red blood cell counts . This may cause increased susceptibility to infection. Interferons also increase the risk of certain cancers. Death rarely occurs as a result of therapy, but may occur from progression of liver failure in patients with advanced cirrhosis.
Side effects of ribavirin
- Ribavirin most commonly causes anemia due to destruction of red blood cells . This can be severe enough that people with heart disease may suffer a heart attack from insufficient blood flow, so people with heart disease should not receive this drug. Anemia improves with a reduction in the dose of ribavirin. Injected growth factor that stimulates the production of red blood cells often is used to improve the anemia associated with ribavirin. Ribavirin also accumulates in the testicles and ovaries and causes birth defects in animals. Although no birth defects have been reported in humans, both men and women should use contraceptive measures to avoid pregnancy during and for at least six months after ribavirin treatment.
Side effects of DAAs
- The most common and significant side effects of boceprevir , sofosbuvir , and ledipasvir/sofosbuvir include
- fatigue ,
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How Does Hep C Spread
How do you get hepatitis C? Hepatitis C typically spreads through infected blood. One of the most common reasons for hep C transmission is sharing needles from illicit drug use. However, there are many other ways you might contract hepatitis C. For instance, getting tattoos or piercings using unsanitary needles, working in healthcare where you may be exposed to infected blood, or even sharing personal care items that may be contaminated with small amounts of blood, like razors or nail clippers.
Hepatitis C can also spread through sex, especially if there may be blood present, like if youre having sex during your period or if you experience tearing that causes light bleeding. This can create the blood-to-blood contact that can lead to a hepatitis C infection.
Less commonly, women can also spread hepatitis C to their babies during pregnancy and birth. Some estimate that the risk is about 6% per pregnancy for mothers with hep C. The good news is that it is typically treatable in babies when caught early.
If You Notice Symptoms See A Doctor Right Away
Symptoms of hepatitis C include the following:
- Jaundice a yellowish tone to the eyes and skin
- Mild, chronic right belly pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
If you believe you have been exposed to hepatitis C or notice any symptoms, visit your primary care doctor as soon as possible. If you test positive for the virus, your doctor can refer you to a hepatologist to discuss your options.
“I strongly encourage all baby boomers and others who are at high risk to get tested, even if you don’t look or feel sick,” Reau says. “If you do have hepatitis C, the earlier we discover it, the more likely we can prevent it from progressing and causing more serious damage.”
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Sexual Dysfunction In Hcv Infection
Sexual dysfunction in the form of erectile and orgasmic features are clearly present. Erectile dysfunction is independent of depression and is associated with a decreased score on the Quality of Life Survey. HCV men were significantly less than controls to be satisfied with their sexual satisfaction as measured by sexual drive, erection, ejaculation, sexual problems, and overall satisfaction .
Notable Ways This Liver Disease Affects Women Differently
Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
Hepatitis C is a potentially fatal viral infection that can cause long-term damage to the liver. Although the symptoms of hepatitis C are similar in women and men, the disease can progress differently in females. Women also face unique challenges, including the risk of mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
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General Signs And Symptoms Of Hepatitis C
As mentioned, many cases of hepatitis C infection often go unnoticed because they donât always present symptoms. If you do present symptoms, they manifest about four to 12 weeks after initial exposure to the virus. Symptoms can also vary between acute and chronic forms of the infection. Acute hepatitis C symptoms may include:
- Pain in your abdomen
- Fever
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Chronic hepatitis C infections can remain dormant for years, and it usually isnât apparent until the virus has caused significant damage to the liver.