Hepatitis C in pregnancy
What are the symptoms?
Most people will not
have any symptoms the first time they are infected. Symptoms usually take years
to appear.
Symptoms of hepatitis
C include:
- Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
- Fatigue
- Dark Urine
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
Can hepatitis C cause other problems?
This disease leads to
chronic liver disease in 70% of chronically infected people. Chronic liver
disease can lead to liver failure, liver cancer, and death.
How is it transmitted?
This disease is
transmitted by microscopic exchange of infected blood. Most often, infection
occurs through intravenous drug use.
Hepatitis C can be
transmitted in one of the following ways:
- Sexual activity which includes anal or vaginal intercourse
- Intravenous drug use
- Although rare, mother to baby during birth
- Exposure to infected blood
How is it diagnosed?
Hepatitis C can be
diagnosed by a doctor with a blood test.
What is the treatment for hepatitis C?
There are drugs that
eliminate the virus in about 40% of cases. For others who do not respond to
these drugs, there is no cure.
Can hepatitis C be prevented?
This disease can be prevented by abstaining from sexual contact or by being in a long-term monogamous relationship such as marriage. This can also be avoided by not using illicit intravenous drugs. There is no vaccine for this disease.