Hepatitis C tests are important. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than 3 million people in the US have this infection. The appearance of symptoms is not common and most of the people do not know that they have them. In the chronic form, it usually leads to liver cancer or liver failure. This is why getting a full hepatitis test is so important. This is the only way to know if a person has been infected.

WHAT IS HEPATITIS?

It’s a virus. There are three different versions. They are called “A”, “B” and “C”. Each has the ability to cause serious damage to the human liver. Acute infections only last from a few weeks to a few months. Many times, “A” and “B” are sharp. They can be overcome and a person’s body can get rid of them on its own. Chronic infections last a lifetime and can lead to liver cancer and liver failure. Version “C” is often a chronic infection. There are several ways to get each form of the virus, but it is generally considered a sexually transmitted disease (STD). This article discusses version “C”. (Visit my other articles for more information on “A” and “B”).

HEPATITIS C:

This version of the disease is the one that most people do not know they have. It is spread by coming into contact with infected blood and can cause liver cancer and liver failure. The most common ways that people come into contact with hepatitis C are through medical needles, tattoo needles, piercing needles, and blood transfusions (if the blood has not been tested). Blood-borne sex can also spread the disease. Many health professionals consider it an STD.

Since it is considered an STD, anyone who engages in blood-related sexual activities is at risk. Experts say that hepatitis C is not transmitted through other bodily secretions such as saliva, vaginal secretions, or semen. Using condoms during sex reduces the risk of contraction. The only way to avoid hepatitis in this way is with abstinence. This means not having sex or having sexual contact with other people. Practicing abstinence is the key to avoiding all STDs

Most infected people do not know it because they do not experience symptoms and have not had a full hepatitis test. Many doctors say that when someone finds out they have it, they discover it by accident because they had to take a blood test to detect something else. For example, some people find out because they want to donate blood and their donation is tested and that is when the virus is detected.

However, symptoms sometimes arise. People say they feel tired, have joint pain, abdominal pain, muscle pain, itchy skin, or dark urine. Some say they also experience a yellowing of their eyes and / or skin. If this happens, it is usually only after the other symptoms have disappeared. It doesn’t matter if there are symptoms or not, hepatitis C can be transmitted by an infected person.

Hepatitis C is usually a chronic infection. This means that the body cannot get rid of it on its own. Whoever has it will live with it forever. When people don’t know they are infected, it can sometimes take decades to find out.

There is no cure, but doctors must monitor liver function to make sure that a person can live a full and healthy life even if they are a carrier of the virus. Many people with the virus live full and active lives.

A doctor cannot provide adequate care for someone who does not know they have this disease. That is why it is important to get a full hepatitis test. Since sexually active people are at risk, there is an STD test that detects all versions, including A, B, and C.