Hepatitis C & Joint Pain
Over 4 million people are living with the hepatitis C virus, also known as HCV, in the United States. In the entire world, there is an estimated 170 million people infected with the virus. Hepatitis C is a condition that affects the liver and can cause joint pain. Once infected with the virus, individuals may develop a chronic form of Hepatitis C. It is important to seek medical attention in order to prevent further complications from occurring.
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Acute and Chronic HCV
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About 85 percent of the people who have Hepatitis C become chronically infected later on; this infection usually lasts for decades. The remaining 15 percent with HCV have an acute infection, which can be resolved within a few weeks to a few months. Chronic hepatitis is when inflammation occurs in the liver. Over time, this condition can progress to fibrosis, which is scarring in the liver. If the scarring worsens, it becomes cirrhosis. Patients that have cirrhosis may end up having liver failure or other problems involving cirrhosis, such as liver cancer.
Transmission
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Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood. Infected blood and infected blood products, such as intravenous needles used by drug users can transmit HCV. The virus can also be transmitted sexually. Approximately 1 to 4 percent of non-infected spouses become infected by their virus inspected spouses because HCV becomes isolated in semen, vaginal fluid and saliva. Transmission has not been shown to occur from breast-feeding, coughing, kissing, hugging, sneezing, sharing utensils or drinking glasses and casual contact. Avoid sharing toothbrushes and razors.
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Symtoms
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The symptoms associated with hepatitis C are different for each infected individual. About 25 percent of the infected patients that have acute hepatitis C virus witness fatigue, poor appetite, muscular aches and low-grade fever. Sometimes jaundice occurs, which is when the eyes and/or skin turn yellow. The remaining 75 percent of the people who are infected show few to no signs of the virus in the beginning. Joint pain is one of the more frequent symptoms associated with HCV.
There are other conditions associated with HCV, including several extra-hepatic problems, which are located outside the liver. The most notable condition is cryoglobulnemia, which occurs when abnormal antibodies arise from HCV stimulation of lymphocytes, also known as white blood cells. Symptoms associated with this disorder include weakness, swelling or pain in the joints, purplish skin rash that is raised (mostly found in the lower part of the legs), swollen legs and feet and nerve pain.
Diagnosis
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Blood tests are given in order to detect HCV in the body.
Treatment
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Drug therapies are given, including weekly shots of pegylated interferon alfa and an oral medication called ribavirin, taken twice daily . The treatment will clear away the virus from the bloodstream.
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