Many people are very worried and scared of hepatitis C. How can you get infected is one of the main questions, but first you need to figure out what the virus is. It is interesting that it was discovered very recently, in 1989, by American scientists, before that it was called "hepatitis neither A nor B". Hepatitis C - a very common disease, it affects about 500 million people around the world. With the growth of drug addiction, the number of people infected with this type of hepatitis is also growing. Usually it is a disease of young people, but gradually it "ages", also hepatitis C - the main reason why people need a liver transplant. The maintenance of statistics on this disease began much later, in comparison with other hepatitises. The virus itself penetrates into the liver cells, where it begins to multiply intensively.
How and where infection can occur
Now that we have looked more closely at Hepatitis C, how can you become infected - is becoming an even more pressing issue. Let us consider it in more detail. Infection occurs by contact with infected blood, such contact can occur in many places. The main risk group is drug addicts who use a single syringe, medical workers and people in prisons. Infection in hospitals occurs with blood transfusion, surgery, during a visit to the dentist. But such a risk is greater in developing countries, where less attention is paid to sterility and sanitation. No less risky tattoos and piercing salons. Infection during sex and at home is possible, but it does not happen so often.
Infection in the family
Consider another aspect - the family, which also affects hepatitis C. How can you get infected in family? The possibility of infection with sex is very small, only 3-5%, but this is if you have a permanent partner. With a large number of partners and promiscuous sexual relations, the risk of infection increases. To protect yourself, you need to use a condom. From a mother who is infected with hepatitis C, the virus can be transmitted to the child only during childbirth, and only in 5% of cases. This mother is recommended to cancel breastfeeding. If there is a sick person in the family, then you should not use common towels, razors, toothbrushes, manicure sets, etc. If such a person is injured, the dressing should be done with gloves, the places where the blood gets into, should be thoroughly disinfected. The virus dies within 2 minutes of boiling, or 30 minutes at 60 degrees.
Consequences of infection
It became clear why you should be afraid not to get hepatitis C. How can you get infected, we already learned, but what happens if a person does not save? Symptoms may not be from 10 to 40 years, because of which the hepatitis C virus is called quiet, or affectionate, a killer. Then most people develop chronic hepatitis, and they suffer from cirrhosis or liver cancer. The only thing that patients with hepatitis C can feel is chronic fatigue, although there are other symptoms. Some people become just vectors of infection. Also there is a small chance to get hepatitis, and accordingly - to recover. But this will not give you absolutely no immunity. You need to be very careful, because most people still suffer from chronic hepatitis C.