Brittany Winfield

*Hepatitis C

*Portal of EntryHepatitis C is transferred through contact with infected blood including sexual, breaks in skin when in contact with blood, and infected mothers during birth.

Hepatitis C cannot be passed through casual contact such as hugging, kissing, coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils.

The only known carriers of the virus are humans and chimpanzees

*When Was Hepatitis C discovered??

Hepatitis C virus was discovered in 1989 by Chiron, Inc.

  Before it was discovered, any  illness caused by blood transfusion that was not caused by Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B was referred to as Non-Hepatitis A or Non-Hepatitis B

  Currently, there is not a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C infection.   

Many companies nationwide are searching for vaccines. Researchers say there may be a vaccine created to prevent infection by producing antibodies. Prevention used today includes educating high risk groups, and spreading information about safe sex practices

*Hepatitis C Treatment

Treatment is referred to as combination therapy

24-48 week course of pegylated interferon and ribavirin

Interferons are natural proteins produced by the cells of the body in response to viral infection Peglyation of interferon treatment is a process that changes the action it has in the body.

Ribavirin is given this is an oral medication containing an antiviral agent.

Pegylated interefereon is used alone if there is not a need for ribavirin.

ANON. Common Infectious Diseases Worldwide. 2007. Available from: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0903696.html.  Accessed Jan. 2008.

 

ANON. Hepatitis C. October, 2000. Available from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs164/en.  Accessed Jan. 2008.

*References