Pathophysiological Basis
Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that penetrates the liver cell and then replicates itself simultaneously leading to cell cytolysis. The cytolysis occurs through several techniques like immune-mediated cytolysis, oxidative stress, insulin stress, and hepatic steatosis ( Petruzziello et al, 2016) . Since novel HCV infections are typically asymptomatic, a few individuals are diagnosed when the infection is recent. In individuals who develop chronic infection of the disease, the infection is also usually undiagnosed since it does not show any symptoms for decades until it begins to cause serious liver damage.
Common Clinical Manifestations and Comorbidities
The incubation timeline for HCV varies between 2 weeks to 24 weeks. Following the original infection, around 80% of people do not show any signs. Patients who have acute symptoms may show fever, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, decreased appetite, fatigue, joint-pain, dark urine, Yellowing of the eyes and the skin, and grey-colored feaces ( Petruzziello et al, 2016) . These symptoms may vary in patients and according to the stage of the disease.
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Causes and Modifiable Risk Factors
As a blood borne virus, HCV is transmitted through various methods. First is injecting drugs using shared injection equipment. Second is insufficient sterilization or reuse of medical tools, particularly needles and syringes in clinics ( Islam et al, 2016) . Third is transfusion of blood that has not been screened. Lastly, the disease can be transmitted through sexual acts that lead to exposure to blood. HCV can also be transmitted from the mother to baby in rare cases.
The modifiable risk factors are related to a person’s lifestyle. A person should always engage in safe sexual practices and ensure the needles and syringes used are sterilized and safe to use ( Islam et al, 2016) . Moreover, one should avoid using injectable drugs to lower their risk.
Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
The non-modifiable risk factors with HCV are associated with age, sex, and race. These factors affect the progression of the disease rather than transmission ( Islam et al, 2016) . Unfortunately, there are no ways to establish the progression of the disease according to these variables.
References
Islam, N., Krajden, M., Shoveller, J., Gustafson, P., Gilbert, M., Buxton, J. A., ... & Cohort, B. C. H. T. (2017). Incidence, risk factors, and prevention of hepatitis C reinfection: a population-based cohort study. The lancet Gastroenterology & hepatology , 2 (3), 200-210.
Petruzziello, A., Marigliano, S., Loquercio, G., Cozzolino, A., & Cacciapuoti, C. (2016). Global epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection: An up-date of the distribution and circulation of hepatitis C virus genotypes. World journal of gastroenterology , 22 (34), 7824.
