Hepatitis C is a virus that primarily affects the liver. Acute hepatitis C refers to a short-term condition that occurs within the first six months after contracting the virus. Short-term hepatitis C typically doesn’t need medical treatment and will go away on its own. When left untreated, acute hepatitis C can progress to chronic hepatitis C, which is a more serious condition that can lead to long-term health problems like cirrhosis or liver cancer.
In many cases, there are no symptoms associated with acute hepatitis C. However, if symptoms do occur, they typically show up two to 12 weeks after being infected and can include abdominal pain, clay-colored stool, dark urine, fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, nausea, jaundice, and, joint pain. Individuals who experience any of these symptoms must see a doctor right away so they can get tested for the virus.
Depending on the severity of symptoms, Individuals with chronic hepatitis C can be ordered to undergo several treatment options. The most common treatment involves the use of antiviral medications that are taken as pills or injected directly into the bloodstream. In some cases, a liver transplant may be necessary.
Sharing Drug-Injection Equipment
When people think of hepatitis C, they often think of it as a disease that only affects drug users who share needles. However, hepatitis C can also be spread through sharing other drug-injection equipment, such as cookers, cotton, and water.
People who inject drugs are at a higher risk for hepatitis C because the virus can live in the cooker for up to two weeks. When someone uses an infected cooker to prepare their drugs, they are exposing themselves to the virus.
Cotton can also harbor the virus for long periods of time. If an infected person uses a cotton to filter their drugs, the virus can be passed on to anyone who uses that cotton. And finally, sharing water can also transmit the virus. If an infected person uses water to dilute their drugs, the virus can be passed on to anyone who uses that water
The best way to prevent hepatitis C is to abstain from injecting drugs. For individuals who inject drugs, it is recommended not to share needles or any other drug-injection equipment. People must use new, sterile needles and only use their own cooker, cotton, and water.
