Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is caused by hepatitis C virus. The virus enters into the liver cell, use the cell’s genetic to make copies of itself which then affects more cells.
Causes
Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through blood to blood contacts. It can be transmitted by sharing needles when injecting, toothbrushes and razors, tattoo or body piercing with equipment that has not been properly sterilized. It can also be sexually transmitted. It is not passed on by everyday contact such as kissing, hugging and holding hands.
The functions of the liver is important to the body. The hepatitis C affects the liver.
The liver
The liver is the largest glandular organ of the body. It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm.
Some of the functions of the liver are : to produce substances that break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea (the main substance of urine), make certain amino acids(the building blocks of proteins), filter harmful substances from the blood (such as alcohol), storages of vitamins and minerals(vitamins A, D, K and B12) and maintain a proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible for producing cholestrol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body.
How hepatitis C affects the liver
The hepatitis C virus attacks liver cells and uses them as a host to reproduce itself. When the body attempts to fight the virus, it send lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to the liver, which results in inflammation (swelling). This inflammation is a normal response to infection, but over time this process, and certain chemicals released by the lymphocytes, can damage liver cells.
When the liver cells are damaged, they cannot function well and may die. Some of these cells may grow back, but severe injury may lead to fibrosis (a buildup of scar tissue on the liver).
Causes
Hepatitis C is usually transmitted through blood to blood contacts. It can be transmitted by sharing needles when injecting, toothbrushes and razors, tattoo or body piercing with equipment that has not been properly sterilized. It can also be sexually transmitted. It is not passed on by everyday contact such as kissing, hugging and holding hands.
The functions of the liver is important to the body. The hepatitis C affects the liver.
The liver
The liver is the largest glandular organ of the body. It is reddish brown in color and is divided into four lobes of unequal size and shape. The liver lies on the right side of the abdominal cavity beneath the diaphragm.
Some of the functions of the liver are : to produce substances that break down fats, convert glucose to glycogen, produce urea (the main substance of urine), make certain amino acids(the building blocks of proteins), filter harmful substances from the blood (such as alcohol), storages of vitamins and minerals(vitamins A, D, K and B12) and maintain a proper level or glucose in the blood. The liver is also responsible for producing cholestrol. It produces about 80% of the cholesterol in your body.
How hepatitis C affects the liver
The hepatitis C virus attacks liver cells and uses them as a host to reproduce itself. When the body attempts to fight the virus, it send lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to the liver, which results in inflammation (swelling). This inflammation is a normal response to infection, but over time this process, and certain chemicals released by the lymphocytes, can damage liver cells.
When the liver cells are damaged, they cannot function well and may die. Some of these cells may grow back, but severe injury may lead to fibrosis (a buildup of scar tissue on the liver).