What is hepatitis C virus?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus.
Unlike hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine against hepatitis C to date, despite efforts to do so.
The virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis infection.
Infection ranges from a mild illness that lasts a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.
It is classified according to the duration of exposure to acute or chronic disease
It is also classified according to genotypes.
How can you get infected with viral hepatitis?
Hepatitis C is transmitted through the blood of a person infected with the virus.
Therefore, this disease is not considered contagious unless there is contact with the blood of the infected person.
Hepatitis C is not spread through breast milk, food, or water, or through casual contact, such as hugging, kissing, and sharing food or drinks with an infected person.
Stages of infection with viral hepatitis
The first stage
Acute infection occurs during the first six months of infection when the body is infected with hepatitis C, through the bloodstream.
The virus moves to the liver and begins to grow inside it, and cure rates are estimated at about 20% of people without treatment within a few months of infection.
The second phase
Chronic infection About 80% of people during this stage become infected with the virus, and the body cannot get rid of it.
It turns into a long-term and chronic infection.
third level
Inflammation and cirrhosis of the liver The virus kills liver cells in order to multiply the virus, thus causing inflammation in the liver.
As the infection progresses, the inflammation turns into a scar, and then into cirrhosis.
In most infections, the virus infection remains inactive, for a period ranging from twenty to thirty years, and the infected person usually does not show any symptoms.
The fourth stage
Cirrhosis of the liver after infection for a period ranging from twenty to thirty years.
In infected people, about one in five people develop complete sclerosis of the liver.
Some people may still have no symptoms, but symptoms usually begin to appear.
Cirrhosis affects liver function, the liver begins to shrink and atrophy, and liver cancer develops.
Symptoms of viral hepatitis
The incubation period for hepatitis C ranges from 2 to 6 months.
Following the initial infection, about 80% of infected people do not develop symptoms. As for those who show symptoms, they may suffer from
bleed easily
Easily bruised
fatigue
poor appetite
Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
dark urine
itchy skin
Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites)
swelling in the legs
Weight loss
Confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
Spider-like blood vessels on the skin (arachnoid tumor)
Treatment and prevention of viral hepatitis
Primary prevention
Avoid using illegal drugs, especially those taken by injection
Avoid using someone else''s toothbrush or shaving tools
Cover wounds well
Disinfect injection sites with fresh alcohol swabs
Wear gloves before cleaning blood stains
hand hygiene
Perform the necessary tests before a blood transfusion
Well trained health workers
Secondary prevention for people with hepatitis C virus infection
Awareness and counseling about care and treatment options
Immunization with hepatitis A and B vaccines to prevent concomitant infection with these two hepatitis viruses and to protect the liver
Early and appropriate medical management including antiviral therapy when appropriate
Regular follow-up for early diagnosis of chronic liver disease
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs)
New oral treatments are more effective and less side effects
It directly targets the virus that causes hepatitis by inhibiting the synthesis of proteins needed by the virus
Liver transplant
It is the surgical treatment that the patient may have to in cases of complete liver failure or liver cancer.
Here the liver is transplanted by a living donor (where a piece of the liver is taken) or a dead donor.
In both cases, you must continue to take medications under medical supervision because the virus is still in the blood and can cause damage to the transplanted organ.
Follow-up tests for hepatitis C patients
After recovering from hepatitis C, some medical procedures and tests must be performed to ensure that the virus is not active again or the patient has relapsed after recovery. These tests include:
Fibroscan x-rays to check the extent of fibrosis after recovery from hepatitis C infection.
Examination of the general liver functions from time to time, and this is by doing a normal blood picture analysis to test the amount of platelets and check whether they are increased or not.
Check enzymes from time to time.
Examination of the bile also to be sure.
Albumin test as well.
PCR analysis.
Care must be taken to monitor the level of sugar in the blood, because hepatitis C and injections with “interferon” may cause diabetes, so diabetes tests must be done to be sure, especially when you are old or over the age of forty.
Work "glycated hemoglobin" every 3 months.
What a virus patient can and cannot eat
The most important thing that a Hepatitis C patient needs is to keep the liver healthy and prevent complications from developing.
Some people with hepatitis C believe that medication alone is sufficient for treatment.
Food plays an important role in treatment and in revitalizing the liver.
Many doctors offer a diet for pre-fibrosis and first stage hepatitis C patients.
Many confirm that this system provides the body with the energy needed for it without retaining any excess toxins that lead to laziness in the liver.
It also maintains the body''s immunity for life, and prevents the spread and reproduction of the virus.
This system does not restrict the patient to follow a single pattern in food.
It consists of prohibitions, permitted and notes. The meaning behind these nutritional diets is the balance of nutrients within the patient''s body to improve his health.
Foods and foods suitable for liver patients
Fruits and vegetables
Eating a healthy and balanced diet, containing the right amount of vegetables and fruits, is the secret to maintaining a healthy liver.
These foods are rich in many vitamins and minerals that are important for the functioning of the liver and its basic functions.
Therefore, patients should eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
It is preferable to focus on green leafy vegetables, which reduce the level of fat in the liver.
It is important to consult a doctor and a nutritionist in this regard, as eating a lot of green leafy vegetables, which are rich in iron, may be harmful and not healthy.
Protein
Getting the right amount of protein is important for hepatitis C patients, as it provides them with energy and makes them feel full as well.
Protein can be obtained from the following sources
fish
tofu
eggs
the cheese
nuts.
complex carbohydrates
I mean breakfast cereal, bread, and oatmeal.
These foods are important and help hepatitis C patients to promote a healthy liver and avoid complications.
Foods to avoid
There are some foods that hepatitis C patients should avoid, due to their negative impact on liver health, the most important of which are:
Fats
It is important to eat fats, but healthy ones, as they are necessary to store energy and protect the various tissues of the body, in addition to their role in transporting vitamins into the bloodstream.
On the other hand, hepatitis C patients should focus these fats on healthy ones, and limit the amount they eat.
Fats may accumulate in the liver, causing cirrhosis.
the salt
It is necessary to limit the amount of salt intake by hepatitis C patients, especially those who also suffer from cirrhosis of the liver.
Try to avoid canned foods, which contain a lot of salt, and processed foods.
Sugar
Researchers and scientists believe that there is a relationship between hepatitis C infection and high blood sugar level, and thus diabetes.
The liver helps regulate sugar levels, and eating foods high in sugar and calories can stress your liver and threaten your health.
Iron
As we mentioned earlier, it is important not to eat a large amount of green leafy vegetables, despite their importance, because they are rich in iron.
People with hepatitis C have problems releasing iron, and this leads to its accumulation in the blood and various organs of the body.
Advice for a virus patient
Only consult your doctor or a member of your medical staff regarding treatment or its side effects
Reducing or abstaining from tobacco products
Do light exercise because of its beneficial health effects
Pay attention to eating a balanced diet and drinking an adequate amount of water.
Know the ways of transmission of the disease and try to avoid them
Knowing how to prevent disease and stick to it
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication
Avoid taking medications that are harmful to the liver
You can take vitamins after consulting a doctor and pharmacist
Conclusion
Viral hepatitis is an infectious disease caused by viruses that damage liver cells.
The resulting damage may be temporary or permanent.
Proper nutrition for patients is one of the most important constructive methods in treating viral hepatitis.
Beliefs that medication alone is sufficient for treatment are wrong.
Food plays an important role in treatment and in revitalizing the liver.
