Re: Гепатит С
Не нужно путать гепатит С (HCV) с ВИЧ (HIV - human immunodeficienct virus), это разные вещи,хотя обе опасны.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. Serious for some, but not others, most people who get hepatitis C carry the virus for the rest of their lives. Most have some liver damage but many do not feel sick from the disease. As a result of the liver damage, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver failure may develop.
For a slight majority of patients, the illness begins suddenly as though one had come down with the flu. Except that this "flu" doesn't seem to completely go away. For many other patients, the onset appears gradually over a long period of time. Infants and young children often have no symptoms at all.
Many other symptoms may also be present, however they will typically be different among different patients. These include: fatigue, low-grade fever, headaches; slight sore throat, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, stiff or aching joints, and liver damage. Many people develop a pain in the right side, over the liver area. The urine may become dark brown, and the feces may be pale. In severe acute infections, some people may develop jaundice in which the skin and whites of the eyes become yellowish.
The degree of severity from Hepatitis C can differ widely among patients, and will also vary over time for the same patient. Severity can vary between getting unusually fatigued following stressful events, to being totally bedridden and completely disabled. The hepatitis c symptom has a tendency to wax and wane over time.
What is the Hepatitis C Virus and how does it affect the Liver?
The Hepatitis C virus is an RNA type virus, a very powerful reproductive virus and also one that is capable of a high rate of mutation. The high rate of mutation makes it difficult for both the immune system to create antibodies and for scientists to identify and slow or stop the progression of the virus. It is also one reason why an effective vaccine against Hepatitis C has not yet been developed.
In order to reproduce and carry out its life cycle, the Hepatitis C virus attaches itself to liver cells. The liver cells provide materials necessary for the virus to reproduce and the liver cell is actually destroyed in the process, resulting in significant liver damage over time and possibly cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissue).
How Does the Immune System fight Hepatitis C?
The immune system is a body wide network of cells and organs that has evolved to defend the body against attacks by foreign entities such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses.
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Originally Posted by Snegana
