By: Lisa Petrilli, RN, BSN, CLNC
Recently I had a close friend pass away. He was 58 years old. When he died he was in liver failure and we all wondered how this could have happened so quickly. Actually it ended up that it wasn’t that quickly. I spoke with one of his brothers who is a Pathologist in CA. He told me that approximately 6 years ago his brother had some lab work done and that it showed liver problems. His brother chose to ignore the results because he didn’t believe the blood work was correct. He denied having any liver problems. Here we are six years later now with my friend gone. All of his friends began talking and I realized that not that many people are educated about liver disease, Hepatitis C and or liver cancer.
Hepatitis C results from the infection with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is spread primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use and bacterial and viral infections can all cause Hepatitis.
What is Hepatitis?
Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious lifelong illness that attacks the liver. It results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus, which is spread primarily through contact with an infected person. Hepatitis C can either be “acute” or “chronic”. Acute Hepatitis C infection is a short term illness that occurs within the first six months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis C virus. For most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection.
Chronic Hepatitis C infection is a long term illness that occurs when the Hepatitis C virus remains in a person’s body. Hepatitis C can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer. Approximately 75-80% of people who become infected with the Hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection. An estimated 3.2 million people in the United States have chronic Hepatitis C virus infection.
How is Hepatitis C spread?
Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from an infected person with Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected.
How does this occur?
Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs are a common cause. Needle stick injuries in healthcare settings can also be a cause. Lastly, those born to a mother with Hepatitis C can can infect the newborn child.
Lesser common causes would be sharing personal items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood such as razors or toothbrushes, sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus.
The Hepatitis C virus can survive outside the body at room temperature, on surfaces, for at least 16 hours but no longer than 4 days. Approximately 70-80% of people with acute Hepatitis C do not have any symptoms. Others can have mild to severe symptoms soon after infection such as fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite to name a few. In persons without symptoms, Hepatitis C is often detected during routine blood tests to measure liver function and liver enzyme level. Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long term health problems, including liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer, or even death. Approximately 15,000 people die every year from Hepatitis C related liver disease.
Acute Hepatitis C can be treated. When diagnosed, treatment does not reduce the risk that acute Hepatitis C will become a chronic infection. Acute hepatitis C is treated with the same medications used to treat chronic hepatitis C. In the treatment for Chronic Hepatitis C there are several medications available to treat chronic hepatitis C. The FDA maintains a complete list of approved treatments for Hepatitis C.
In conclusion, Hepatitis C is a serious illness and should not be taken lightly. A Physician consult with the appropriate lab tests should be completed. Once the results are back there should be a conversation between the doctor and patient discussing the treatment options.
Sadly with my personal friend, he chose to disbelieve the lab results and deny his liver issues. Please do not follow in his footsteps. Life is precious. There is treatment and it is lifesaving.
www.NewBeginningsRecoveryCtr.com 888-840-5189
Lisa Petrilli is a Registered Nurse (RN) with 34 years of professional medical experience. She works at New Beginnings Recovery Center (NBRC) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Her specialty is infusion therapy and administers the Restore Neurotransmitter Restoration Program at NBRC. Lisa graduated from Villanova University in 1979 and began her career at Boston Children’s Medical Center treating patients with Cystic Fibrosis using Infusion Therapy. . Lisa’s significant experience and relaxed attitude really helps our Restore Program patients feel comfortable and truly enjoy their treatment.
