What is acute hepatitis C

What is acute hepatitis C

Acute hepatitis C (acute hepatitis C) is an inflammation of the liver caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), usually over a period of 6 months. Unlike chronic hepatitis C, most acute hepatitis C has no obvious symptoms, but some patients may experience symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and jaundice. If left untreated, about 75%-85% of infected people will develop chronic hepatitis C, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

The following are the hot topics and data related to acute hepatitis C that have been hotly discussed across the Internet in the past 10 days:

1. Transmission routes of acute hepatitis C

Mainly spread through blood, including:

1. Sharing of syringes (accounting for more than 60% of infection cases)
2. Irregular medical operations (such as dialysis and incomplete sterilization of dental instruments)
3. Mother-to-child vertical transmission (probability about 5%)
4. Sexual transmission (the probability is lower than that of hepatitis B, but the risk of people co-infected with HIV is increased)

2. Clinical manifestations and diagnostic criteria

3. Latest developments in treatment options

The "China Hepatitis C Prevention and Treatment Guidelines" updated in 2023 recommends:

1.Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs): The cure rate of 12 weeks of treatment is over 95%
2.Treatment options: Need to be based on virus genotyping (type 1b is the main type in my country)
3.Special population treatment: Patients with liver cirrhosis need to extend the treatment course to 24 weeks

4. Preventive measures

1. Avoid high-risk behaviors (such as sharing razors, irregular tattoos)
2. Medical institutions strictly implement disinfection regulations
3. There is currently no effective vaccine (the biggest difference from hepatitis B)
4. Post-exposure prophylaxis: HCV RNA detection within 72 hours

It is worth noting that there has been an increase in discussions on "self-healing from acute hepatitis C" on social media recently. Medical research shows that about 15%-25% of acutely infected people may spontaneously clear the virus, but this does not mean that treatment can be ignored. Experts emphasize that all diagnosed patients should receive standardized treatment to avoid developing chronic hepatitis.

If you have suspected exposure or related symptoms, it is recommended to seek immediate medical attention for HCV RNA testing. Early intervention can significantly improve prognosis and avoid irreversible liver damage.