Page 242 - fourth year book

HEPATITIS C VIRUS

Can persons become infected with a different strain of HCV
after they have cleared the initial infection?

Yes. Prior infection with HCV does not protect against later infection
with the same or different genotypes of the virus.

What is the acute Hepatitis C?

Acute Hepatitis C virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within

the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis C virus. For
most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection.

What are the signs and symptoms of acute HCV infection?

Persons with newly acquired HCV infection usually are asymptomatic or
approximately 20%–30% of those newly infected with HCV have mild
symptoms such as:

 Fever  Fatigue  Dark urine

 Clay-colored stool  Abdominal pain  Loss of appetite

 Nausea  Vomiting  Joint pain

 Jaundice

How soon after exposure to HCV do symptoms appear?

In those persons who do develop symptoms, the average time period
from exposure to symptom onset is 4–12 weeks (range: 2–24 weeks).

Is it possible for someone to become infected with HCV and
then spontaneously clear the infection?

Yes. Approximately 15%–25% of persons clear the virus from their

bodies without treatment and do not develop chronic infection; the
reasons for this are not well known.

What is the Chronic Hepatitis C?

Chronic Hepatitis C virus infection is a long-term illness that occurs when
the Hepatitis C virus remains in a person’s body. Hepatitis C virus
infection can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including
cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.

How likely is HCV infection to become chronic?

HCV infection becomes chronic in approximately 75%–85% of cases.

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