When it comes to hepatitis C, there are a lot of myths surrounding how it can be contracted and passed. Some think that only those who indulge in “risky behavior” need to be concerned with contracting the disease, or that they would have obvious symptoms should they be infected. Neither of these assumptions is correct.
One of the most pertinent myths is that only frequent and long-term intravenous drug users are at risk for hepatitis C. Every year, there are approximately three to four million people infected worldwide, including nearly 19,000 Americans. Additionally, 30 percent of 170 million carriers who become infected have no idea how they contracted the disease.
Another myth is that everyone who is infected with the disease will die from complications that stem from the infection. Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver, and since every patient case is different, a complete examination, including a liver biopsy, must be performed to determine the extent of liver damage. Patients who are infected with hepatitis C, but live an otherwise healthy lifestyle, can live 60 years or longer. Conversely, this disease coupled with drug and alcohol abuse, diabetes, HIV or other afflictions can shorten a patient’s lifespan to just a few years.
Eighty percent of patients infected with hepatitis C do not exhibit visible symptoms of the disease. This goes against the myth that if you are a carrier, you will know from the signs that you show. As a disease that targets the liver, the majority of symptoms do not show externally. While most patients will deal with complications throughout their lives, 20 percent will fully recover.
The best cause of action in detecting hepatitis C is to have yourself tested when you feel like you have exposed yourself to the risk of contraction. There is no vaccine, but when the disease is caught and treated early, patients are able to live long and fulfilling lives.
Sources:
HepCFight.com: http://www.hepcfight.com/need_to_know/myths_and_facts.asp
Healthology: http://www.healthu.com/focus_article.asp?f=liver_disease&b=healthology&c=liver_hepatitiscmyths
Hepatitis.About.Com: http://hepatitis.about.com/od/hepatitisc/a/TenHCVfacts.htm
Photo Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HCV_structure.png
