Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C
12/02009
By: Shuntrice Hannah
Abstract
Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is difficult for the human immune system to eliminate the virus from the body, and infection with HCV usually becomes chronic. Over decades, chronic infection with HCV damages the liver and can cause liver failure in some people. The hepatitis C virus is transmitted mainly by contact with blood or blood products. The Sharing of contaminated needles among drug users is the most common mode of transmission. In the U.S., more than three million people are chronically infected with HCV. HCV is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S and is a risk factor for liver cancer.
Hepatitis C
Description
Hepatitis C was first identified in 1974. The virus that caused disease was not found until
1989 by Brendan Arena. The infection is sometimes called "transfusion hepatitis." The name
comes from one possible cause of the disease. It may be transmitted along with blood used
in blood transfusions. Since the identification of HCV, tests have been developed to identify the virus.
Blood transfusions are no longer a major cause of the disease. Hepatitis C is a disease
of the liver caused by a virus. Hepatitis in general is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused
by a viral infection. The liver becomes tender and enlarged and is unable to function normally,
As a result, toxins that would normally be filtered out by the liver build up in the body and certain nutrients are not processed and stored, as they should be. Hepatitis C is a slowly
progressing disorder. In its more advanced stages it can lead to serious and permanent liver
damage and even death.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Hepatitis C are often very mild in the early stages and can be virtually
undetectable. Hepatitis C infection
12/02009
By: Shuntrice Hannah
Abstract
Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is difficult for the human immune system to eliminate the virus from the body, and infection with HCV usually becomes chronic. Over decades, chronic infection with HCV damages the liver and can cause liver failure in some people. The hepatitis C virus is transmitted mainly by contact with blood or blood products. The Sharing of contaminated needles among drug users is the most common mode of transmission. In the U.S., more than three million people are chronically infected with HCV. HCV is the leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S and is a risk factor for liver cancer.
Hepatitis C
Description
Hepatitis C was first identified in 1974. The virus that caused disease was not found until
1989 by Brendan Arena. The infection is sometimes called "transfusion hepatitis." The name
comes from one possible cause of the disease. It may be transmitted along with blood used
in blood transfusions. Since the identification of HCV, tests have been developed to identify the virus.
Blood transfusions are no longer a major cause of the disease. Hepatitis C is a disease
of the liver caused by a virus. Hepatitis in general is an inflammation of the liver, usually caused
by a viral infection. The liver becomes tender and enlarged and is unable to function normally,
As a result, toxins that would normally be filtered out by the liver build up in the body and certain nutrients are not processed and stored, as they should be. Hepatitis C is a slowly
progressing disorder. In its more advanced stages it can lead to serious and permanent liver
damage and even death.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Hepatitis C are often very mild in the early stages and can be virtually
undetectable. Hepatitis C infection
References: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hepatitis c article/ em-htm /08/2009 http://www.Faqs.org health/sick-v2 hepatitis c-descriptions html. Copy right 2009 Walter and Eliza Hall Institute Sep 24,2009 Science daily.com/hepatitis treatment Nancy J. Nordeson The Gale Group 2002 http://www.gale encyclopedia of medicine.com http://www.medicalnews.com/ 08/2009/ articles hepatitis c http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/aip/research/hepatitis Hepatitis C