Hepatitis C virus

The hepatitis C virus is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus with positive polarity (ss+ RNA), which to date is the only known RNA virus that can cause chronic disease.

Hepatitis C is probably one of the best-known hepatitis viruses, although infection with hepatitis A is much more common (this form of hepatitis is less threatening, however).

in 1989, the virus was identified using genetic engineering methods.

The discoverers Harvey J. Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles M. Rice received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2020 for this achievement.

Transmission:

The hepatitis C virus is passed on through the blood.

This means that someone must come into direct contact with infected blood to contract the disease.

Particularly at risk are drug addicts who administer drugs intravenously, for example heroin.

Often, syringes are exchanged and syringes are used several times without cleaning them properly, which means that the virus attaches itself to the syringe and can infect someone else.

It is not only consumption with syringes that increases the risk of infection; there is also a risk of infection when a nasal tube is used several times to snort drugs.

Even the smallest nose injury can contaminate the tube with the virus. If this is then passed on, the virus can in turn penetrate the smallest injuries in the nose and take hold.

Infections also occur repeatedly via tattoos and piercings because contaminated instruments have been used.

In earlier years (before 1990), it often happened that the virus was transmitted with a blood transfusion, but in the meantime, donated blood is tested for the hepatitis virus, among other things, and the risk cannot be completely ruled out, but it can at least be reduced to less than 1%.

Transmission via sexual intercourse is rather rare, but certainly within the realm of possibility. The risk of transmission is particularly high during anal intercourse, as small, unnoticed injuries are most likely to occur here.

Other sexual practices that carry the risk of mucosal injury also increase the risk of infection.

The transmission of a hepatitis C virus from a carrier to her child at birth is estimated at less than 5%; if there is a co-infection with HIV, this risk increases to about 14%.

Course of hepatitis C:

After an incubation period of 20 - 60 days, the disease hepatitis C breaks out.

Possible symptoms that can occur are very similar to a flu-like infection.

They may include fatigue, tiredness, loss of appetite, joint pain.

There may also be a feeling of pressure and tension in the right upper abdomen.

Jaundice only occurs in rare cases during this phase. This colours the stool clay-coloured and the urine very dark.

Since the symptoms in the acute phase are very weak or this phase is completely asymptomatic, the disease is either not noticed at all or is wrongly diagnosed as a flu-like infection.

The virus can multiply unhindered and, in about 70 % of infections, passes from the acute phase into a chronic course.

If the infection remains untreated, there is a long-term course, which can lead to cirrhosis of the liver after about 20 years.

Why does the hepatitis C virus belong to the oncoviruses?

The hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C disease. If the disease is chronic, cirrhosis of the liver can develop.

Liver cirrhosis significantly increases the risk of developing liver carcinoma.

How can I protect myself against the hepatitis C virus?

At present, active immunisation against the virus is not possible by means of a vaccination, so you have to protect yourself against it in other ways.

Since the virus is transmitted through the blood, you have to make sure that you do not come into contact with infected blood.

If you want to get piercings or tattoos, you should pay attention to the cleanliness of the studio.

For drug addicts, it is important not to use used syringes or nose tubes.

Many organisations that work with drug-addicted clients make an effort to provide clean syringes, and also to dispose of old syringes correctly.

Even though the hepatitis C virus is rarely transmitted through sexual intercourse, the risk is still there, so it is important to always pay attention to "safe sex".

It is important to use condoms, especially if you have a frequently changing sexual partner or one-night stands, not only to avoid infection with hepatitis C, but also to protect yourself from other STIs or the HIV virus.

How can I recognise an infection with the hepatitis C virus?

Since the acute phase is characterised by flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all, a hepatitis C infection cannot be detected by the symptoms alone, and usually cannot even be suspected due to the mild symptoms.

Only a blood test can tell you whether you have hepatitis C or not.

If you work in the medical field or come into contact with drug addicts in your job, it is advisable to have a blood test every now and then so that you can be treated early in the event of an infection.

You should also have a test if you have changing sexual partners or one-night stands.

Since there is no vaccination against hepatitis C, it is especially important to take protective measures to prevent infection.

If you belong to the risk group because of your choice of profession, drug use or sexual behaviour, you should always have a test as an additional protective measure, as this is the only way to guarantee that an infection cannot occur.

The blood test determines whether antibodies against the hepatitis C virus have formed in the body. In the case of an infection, these can be detected after about seven to eight weeks after infection.

What happens if I contract the hepatitis C virus?

10-15 % of acute hepatitis heals without treatment. If this is not the case, the acute hepatitis is treated with antiviral drugs. Chronic hepatitis is also treated with antiviral drugs to prevent further progression of the disease and the resulting cancer.