What is hepatitis C?

According to the "Global Hepatitis Report" released by the World Health Organization(WHO), approximately 71 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus. In contrast, the number of hepatitis C virus infections in China is close to 10 million. This year's Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology was awarded to three scientists who have made outstanding contributions to the diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C and promoted hepatitis C to the public. Because the symptoms of hepatitis C are hidden in the early stage, fewer patients can take the initiative to go to the hospital for screening and treatment. As everyone knows, as the disease progresses, hepatitis C will develop into cirrhosis, liver failure, and even liver cancer, which will cause a huge financial burden to the family.

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is also a widespread infectious disease and has become a serious social and public health problem. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), type C's global infection rate is about 3%, and the number of people who die from hepatitis C is as high as 350,000 each year. Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C virus is slightly less infectious than hepatitis B virus. However, hepatitis caused by the hepatitis C virus is more likely to develop into chronic hepatitis. About 50% to 80% of infected people will develop chronic hepatitis C. When combined with hepatitis B virus infection, cirrhosis is more likely to occur.

The main transmission route of hepatitis C

1. Use non-disposable syringes, medical devices that have not been strictly disinfected, and invasive operations such as non-standard disinfection of tattoos and ear piercing.

2. Mother-to-child transmission. Mothers who test positive for HCV RNA have a 4% to 7% chance of transmission to newborns.

3. Skin and mucous membranes are damaged when sharing daily necessities such as razors or toothbrushes.

4. The transmission of blood transfusion and blood products was once the main transmission route, but with the improvement of screening methods, this method's transmission has been obviously controlled. Some daily contact for healthy people, such as eating together, sharing tableware, talking, shaking hands, and hugging, will not infect hepatitis C. If a hepatitis C virus carrier accidentally coughs or sneezes during a conversation, there is no need to worry about infecting hepatitis C virus to others. Saliva cannot spread the hepatitis C virus. Even close contact, such as kissing will hardly infect hepatitis C.