The hepatitis C virus (also called HCV, from the English Human Hepatitis C virus) is transmitted mainly through direct contact with infected blood (for example, through the exchange of syringes between drug addicts or, as happened in the past, with transfusions) ; sexual contagion is rare, but still possible.
Hepatitis C can manifest itself in the form of acute hepatitis, but in most patients it is asymptomatic or presents with mild and not very specific symptoms, simulating a "passing flu". Despite this apparently reassuring aspect, in a large percentage of cases, estimated up to 85%, hepatitis C continues to undermine, little by little, the health of the liver. This means that the infection can go unnoticed and the virus can persist in the liver, continuing to seriously damage it until organ transplantation is necessary in the most extreme cases. In addition to evolving into a long-lasting disease, chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer after many years.
Diagnosis of hepatitis C is based on the search for viral RNA (HCV-RNA) and antibodies directed against the virus antigens (anti-HCV antibodies). The polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in particular, allows the quantification of circulating viral RNA, which is an index of active infection. Furthermore, it allows the identification of the responsible viral genotype, useful for setting the therapeutic protocol.
On some occasions, blood tests carried out to look for a possible liver problem reveal persistent changes in some liver enzymes, such as high transaminases. In this case, it is good practice to continue investigations to exclude or confirm hepatitis C virus infection. In addition, if the doctor suspects severe liver function impairment, he may suggest performing a liver biopsy to ascertain more precisely the extent of the damage caused by the virus.
To date, although several trials are underway, a vaccine that protects against the hepatitis C virus is not yet available. The lack of a vaccine is mainly due to the variability of the surface proteins of the virus, against which it is not possible to obtain effective antibody protection.
damaging them. This liver infection is mainly contracted through direct contact with infected blood.
