Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is an RNA Virus that causes liver inflammation. 

Hepatitis C is a small (40 to 60 nm in diameter), enveloped, single-stranded RNA virus from the Flaviviridae family.  Because this Virus mutates rapidly, changes in the envelope protein may help it evade the immune system.  There are at least six major genotypes and more than 50 subtypes of Hepatitis C Virus.  The different genotypes have different geographic distributions.  Genotypes 1a and 1b are the most common.  Genotypes 2 and 3 are present in only 10 to 20% of patients.  There is little difference in the severity of disease or outcome of patients infected with different genotypes.  However, patients with genotypes 2 and 3 are more likely to respond to Interferon Alpha treatment.

 Hepatitis C accounts for approximately 20% of cases of Acute Viral Hepatitis.

 Hepatitis C accounts for approximately 65% of cases of Chronic Hepatitis.

 1.8% of the population of Western nations have Antibodies to the Hepatitis C Virus (indicating ongoing or previous infection with Hepatitis C Virus).

 Hepatitis C becomes chronic in approximately 80% to 85% of patients.

 Hepatitis C has a latency period of 10 - 30 years.

 In the USA, Hepatitis C caused an estimated 11,051 in 2003 and 19,659 deaths in 2014.

 Hepatitis C is the leading cause of Liver transplantation.

 Hepatitic C is spread primarily via contact with Blood or Blood products.  Blood transfusions were previously an an important cause, however routine Blood screening for Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies has virtually eliminated Blood transfusions as a risk factor.  This screening commenced in 1992 so persons who received Blood transfusions prior to this date are still at risk.

 Hepatitis C can be transmitted via Sexual Contact.  There is some dispute that this means of transmission occurs.

 Hepatitis C can be transmitted via contaminated Needles (e.g. via intravenous drug abusers who share unsterilized or poorly sterilized needles) or contaminated Blood Products. This is the most common risk factor for contracting Hepatitis C.

 Inexplicably, many patients acquire Hepatitis C without any known exposure to Blood or Drug use.  Sporadic transmission, when the source of infection is unknown, occurs in approximately 10% of acute Hepatitis C cases and in 30% of chronic Hepatitis C cases.  These cases are also referred to as sporadic or community-acquired infections.  These infections may have come from exposure to the Hepatitis C Virus from cuts, wounds, or medical injections or procedures.

 Approximately 5% of children born to Hepatitic C infected women acquire Hepatitis C.

Amino Acids

 N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) may enhance the effectiveness of Interferon Alpha for the treatment of Hepatitis C and may help to counteract the severe depletion of Glutathione that occurs in Hepatitis C patients.  ^[2]

 S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) may help to protect Liver cells and may help to preserve Liver cell function in Hepatitis C patients.  ^[3]