What is the full form of HCV

HCV: Hepatitis C Virus

HCV stands for Hepatitis C Virus. It is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the liver and often leads to severe liver damage. This disease-causing virus passes on through blood. In recent years, a weekly dose of injections along with oral medicines was necessary. However, people with Hepatitis C Virus infection could not have the dose of injections and medication due to other underlying health issues or side effects. But, the technology has advanced, and chronic HCV is cured by just oral medications in two to six months, depending upon the patient's condition, with no side effects.

Study shows that approximately 50% of the people in the world do not get to know about their infection with the Hepatitis C Virus. Just because of not having symptoms, and/or the symptoms sometimes may even take decades to appear, it becomes difficult to recognize this issue. Hence, the U. S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) suggests getting tested for Hepatitis C Virus in adults from 18 to 79 years of age, even without any known symptoms of the virus or liver disease. It is also said that citizens born between 1945 to 1965 have a five times higher risk of getting infected with the Hepatitis C Virus than those born in later years.

What are the symptoms of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)?

The Hepatitis C Virus that is present for an extended period is known as chronic hepatitis C. From its initial stage, the Hepatitis C Virus silently starts damaging the liver for many years until it causes the display of symptoms of liver diseases. The signs and symptoms of the Hepatitis C Virus are as follows:-

Change in colour of eyes and skin - from standard to whitish (jaundice)
Change in colour of urine (dark coloured)
Constant storage of fluid into the abdomen (also known as ascites)
Experiencing constant fatigue
Feeling confused, drowsiness and having slur in the speech - this is known as hepatic encephalopathy.
Having blood vessels like a spider on the skin (known as spider angiomas)
Having poor appetite
Itchiness in skin
Legs getting swollen repeatedly
Loss of excessive weight
The quick appearance of bruises
Very easy blood flow

In its early stages, the chronic hepatitis C virus is in the acute stage. However, it does not get treated, as no one gets to know about it, because of its rare symptoms. The signs may include fatigue, fever, muscle pain, nausea, and jaundice. After getting infected with the virus, these symptoms are seen after one to three months period and stay for a fortnight to three months.

It is also seen in many patients that the acute Hepatitis C infection does not always transform into chronic. A spontaneous viral clearance is often seen in many people who can clear the Hepatitis C Virus from their body in its acute stage, i.e. initial phase. In a study of people infected with acute Hepatitis C Virus, the rate of Spontaneous Viral Clearance varies from 15 to 25%. Additionally, it is also seen that in this stage, the Hepatitis C Virus reacts suitably to the antiviral therapy if undergone.

What are the Risk factors for the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection?

Some specific factors put a person at risk of catching the virus. They are as follows:

A healthcare worker exposed to infected blood (piercing of an infected needle into the skin)
A person injected or inhaled any illegal drug
Being positive for HIV
Born to a woman having Hepatitis C Virus infection
For a long time, getting hemodialysis treatment.
Getting tattooed in an unhygienic location.
Having receiver blood or underwent organ transplant before 1992
Having the clotting factor concentrated before 1987
The person born between 1945 and 1965
Stayed in prison

What are the causes of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)?

The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) causes hepatitis C infection. As already said, it spreads by contacting the infected blood. All around the world, the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is present in various specific types, which are known as genotypes and many subtypes. Despite this, chronic hepatitis C has almost the same course, even with the different genotypes of the virus. Likewise, the treatment also depends upon the genotype of the virus.