Hepatitis C is a liver infection that results in inflammation and sometimes causes serious liver damage. This disease spreads through an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids. The chronic condition is curable with oral medications that are to be taken every day for 2-6 months. That said, it is important to note that many don’t know they are infected, as the symptoms can sometimes take decades to appear. Here are a few things to know about the disease.

Causes
Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) that enters the bloodstream and contaminates the blood. It has multiple genotypes, with the most common one being type 1. Acute hepatitis C is caused within the first 6 months of exposure to the virus and can be a short-term illness, but it leads to a chronic infection in most cases. Chronic hepatitis C can be a lifelong infection if it is not treated, and it can lead to serious health issues like liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. Some of the common ways in which a person can get infected with this virus are:

• Sharing needles or other equipment
  The virus can be transmitted through sharing needles and other equipment like filters, straws, and pipes contaminated with an infected person’s blood.
• Less common causes
  Unprotected sex, contact with infected blood, and sharing a toothbrush, razor, or tattooing needle can lead to HCV transmission.

Symptoms
HCV is referred to as a sneaky virus as it may not cause any symptoms for years after entering the body. This is one of the major reasons why adults are recommended to get tested regularly. When the symptoms do occur, they can differ based on whether one has the acute or chronic variant.
The symptoms of acute hepatitis C are:

• Stomach pain
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Joint pain
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Dark urine
• Tiredness

The symptoms of chronic hepatitis C include:

• Fluid buildup in the belly
• Easy bleeding and bruising
• Fatigue
• Hives or rashes
• Itchy skin
• Weight loss
• Spidery blood vessels under the skin

Diagnosis
A blood test called an HCV antibody test is the first step to determine whether an individual has been infected by the virus. If one has positive HCV antibody tests, they’re given a follow-up HCV RNA test to determine the presence of an active infection.

• Antibody test
  As a part of the initial evaluation, the doctor will conduct a test that looks for antibodies released into the bloodstream when one is infected with HCV. If this test is positive, the doctor will give the individual a second test to determine whether HCV is active in their body.
• Additional examination
  An HCV positive test result means the doctor will perform additional tests to assess the extent of liver damage. These tests may include medical history and physical examination, imaging tests, HCV genotyping, and liver biopsy.

Treatment
Hepatitis C treatment aims to suppress the infection to the extent that it becomes negligible in blood samples. Depending on the severity, a doctor may use the following methods to treat this condition:

• Antiviral medications
• Lifestyle changes
• Liver transplant

Natural remedies, best foods to eat, and preventive measures for hepatitis C
Along with taking proper medications, hepatitis C patients can try natural remedies to soothe the symptoms. These include lifestyle changes like taking up yoga and including enough probiotics in the diet. It’s also important to include green leafy vegetables, lean protein, seeds, nuts, and coffee in one’s regular diet.

Additionally, one must avoid sharing needles and personal items like razors and avoid direct exposure to blood to prevent hepatitis C. Timely diagnosis and treatment can help prevent excessive liver damage, so one should immediately approach a doctor if they think they’re at risk of developing hepatitis C.