Signs That Hep C Is Returning

There are a lot of people who contract Hepatitis C every year. It is a highly contagious and dangerous medical condition, and without treatment, it can take your life. The majority of people with Hepatitis C do have symptoms from the disease. Others may not ever suspect they have a problem, and the disease only gets detected on accident with blood work. Hepatitis can be treated, but this does not mean you can never get the virus again. Hepatitis can return and when it does, it will usually cause symptoms to let you know it is returning.

What is Hepatitis C?

• Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver that is viral by nature. It causes inflammation of the liver, can develop into cirrhosis of the liver and can be fatal. The most common way to contract Hepatitis C is by either sharing dirty needles or through blood transfusions. Everyone is different and some people will show physical signs of having the disease, while others will not. The most common way of diagnosing Hepatitis C is by blood work and biopsy. Liver enzymes will normally show elevated liver enzymes, and a biopsy of liver tissue will usually show the organ is diseased.

Signs Your Hepatitis C May be Returning

• Many of the symptoms showing that Hepatitis C is returning are the same as the symptoms of when the illness first started. The symptoms will often repeat themselves and this can make it easier for patients to realize they need medical attention. Signs of Hepatitis C returning are fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. As the disease progresses, there will be yellowing of the eyes and skin. For some patients, they may not notice any physical symptoms at all, and only a liver enzyme test will tell if the disease is returning.

If Your Hepatitis C Returns

• If you have ever had Hepatitis C, you should contact your doctor right away if you suspect the virus is returning. You should also immediately stop drinking alcohol and not take medications known to inflame the liver such as, acetaminophen. You should have your blood work drawn as well, to check for elevated liver enzymes, and be sure to not share needles with others to avoid infecting them.

The Significance of Hepatitis C Returning

• Once you have been diagnosed with Hepatitis C, it is best that you continue to take care of yourself even during a remission period. Many people think that because they have had their Hepatitis C treated, that they are clear of getting the disease again. This is not true; Hepatitis C can return, which means that you are capable of infecting others. Precautions should always be taken to take care of yourself once you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, especially to prevent passing it on.

Hepatitis C Treatment and Remission

• Hepatitis C may go into remission either spontaneously, or by treatment. Some people who have an acute form of the virus may benefit from treatment. Others who are living with a chronic form of Hepatitis C may not need treatment; they may simply need to be monitored. Treatments for Hepatitis C can be expensive, they may not work, and in some cases, may cause more damage. Hepatitis C treatments may also have a lot of side effects that can be very hard on patient. However, whether you receive treatment for your hepatitis or not, you will need to be followed closely by your doctor.