How Age & Depression Affect Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus or HCV affects about 3 million Americans, according to hvcadvocate.com. It is the most common infection transmitted and contracted through blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those who contract the virus, at least 70 percent will get the full-blown disease. Some evidence exists that the disease can be "cured" or at least go into a long remission with proper treatment. The disease is highly correlated with depression. Younger people may be exposed to the virus, but today more older individuals are getting the disease.

The Age Factor

• You can contract the HCV virus at a young age but not experience symptoms until much later (20 or more years). Many young people participate in activities that increase the risk of getting this disease, like body piercings, unprotected sex, drug use or sharing hair or tooth brushes. According to emedicine, if you get the virus at a younger age, you are less likely to get cirrhosis of the liver. The age group of 30- to 49 year-olds has the highest rate of the disease.
  According to hivandhepatitis.com, using data from 1995 to 2004, deaths from hepatitis C increased the most in the 45 to 54 age group--an increase of 376 percent. The 55- to 64-year-old age group also had a significant increase in mortality rates. Overall, the peak age for HCV infection is rising.

Depression Before and After Diagnosis

• Many patients are depressed before a diagnosis of hepatitis C according to hepatitiscentral.com. People with manic depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and clinical depression tend to engage in risky behaviors. Administering drugs with needles, snorting cocaine, having unprotected intercourse or getting tattoos can cause contraction of the HCV virus.
  If not depressed before, then after a diagnosis of hepatitis C individuals can become depressed. The thought of dealing with the disease and its treatment can lead to negative thoughts or suicidal tendencies. Many experience the hopelessness associated with a long-term disease.

Depression During Treatment

• For those with pre-existing issues like manic or severe depression, anxiety and depression may be the worst symptoms during Hepatitis C treatment. In a study conducted by Donna Even and colleagues at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, interferon-based therapy (which requires injections of medicine) increased the incidence of depression in patients.
  Those already depressed got worse. Some individuals (26 percent) who were not affected to begin with got depressed at week 24. The incidence of new antidepressant medication prescriptions was about 33 percent. The side effects of treatment like sleeplessness, headaches, and muscle pain are depressing in themselves.

Depression from Biological Changes

• The HCV virus can also affect the central nervous system, according to hepatitis-central.com. Someone without depression before contracting the disease might experience it as biological changes occur. Fatigue is a common symptom of the disease, which could make individuals lethargic and intensify depressed feelings, according to hepatitis-central.com. Chemical changes that take place in the brain (decreased dopamine production) can affect behavior and mood.

Age and Depression

• Experiencing hepatitis C symptoms at an advanced age could be another reason for depression. Older adults may not have many friends or family to rely on, or may be far away from them geographically. Having a good social support system can help patients deal with the disease, according to the publication, "Hepatitis C: A Guide for Family and Friends."