The Hepatitis C virus was discovered in 1989, and since this discovery, scientists have observed that HCV has a highly variable RNA genome (Chiaho 2012). So far, six major HCV genotypes have been identified and it has been noted that their prevalence in various geographical regions varies. Genotyping is a significant development since it helps to determine the treatment regiment to be offered to the patient.
There has been an increased understanding of HCV transmission over the years. It is now known that the virus is found in various body fluids. However, the threat of infection only occurs when the virus is concentrated enough. Developments have been made in the screening of the virus. Scientists have identified many recombinant HCV diagnostic antigens and developed tests for detecting HCV antibodies (Zhang 2015). Optimal tests for HCV infection have been developed, leading to the early diagnosis and treatment of infections.
The first major treatment development took place in 1999 when scientists discovered that the combination of ribavirin and interferon was efficient in treating HCV. This led to the development of a new general of antiviral agents, which were protease inhibitors that interrupted HCV replication (Acton 2013). Combining these drugs with the IFN and ribavirin led to improved cure rates among patients.
The second breakthrough was in 2010 when the connection between the virus and the brain was made (Batool 2015). Scientists also discovered how fat contributes to the virus replication process. This led to the introduction of Direct-Acting Antivirals, which not only had higher cure rates, but they are also safer for patients. The treatment duration using DAA was 12 weeks compared to the 48 weeks needed for the Interferon and Ribavirin therapy (Mullhaupt 2015). Advances in treatment methods made over the years have greatly improved cure rates.
Hepatitis C is a disease developed from infection with the hepatitis C virus. The disease affects the liver, and it can be acute or chronic. Acute HCV results in mild illnesses that typically clear up naturally after about 6 months. Chronic infections can lead to life-threatening disease and require treatment to cure or manage. HCV infection takes a chronic course in about 80% of those infected. HCV is found in all body fluids, but it is transmitted through blood. Common forms of transmission include needle sharing among drug users and through transfusion of unscreened blood.
A significant issue with Hepatitis C is that it does not cause symptoms after the initial infection. For this reason, the Hepatitis C Virus is known as a silent disease due to its symptomless clinical course. This virus can affect an individual without producing the symptoms for many years, and diagnosis only occurs when liver cirrhosis develops. It is important to diagnose HCV infection at the earliest time possible to prevent significant damage. Screening of at-risk groups is crucial to identify the virus. Through screening, infected people can be identified and an assessment of the degree of damage done by the virus carried out.
After a positive diagnosis, a person should consider treatment. The need for treatment depends on whether the HCV is acute or chronic. Acute HCV can clear up on its own, but chronic HCV will require treatment to cure it. The current treatment regiment makes use of direct antiviral agents, which are more effective and have fewer side effects. Vaccination against HCV would be a preferred option. However, genetic diversity has made the development of a preventive vaccine difficult. Without the availability of a fully effective vaccine, optimal treatment is the primary strategy for dealing with HCV.
References
Acton, A 2013, Hepatitis C Virus: New Insights for the Healthcare Professional, Cengage Learning, Boston.
Batool, S 2015, ‘Health Related Behaviors and Medication Adherence in Patients with Hepatitis C’, Journal of Behavioural Sciences, vol. 25, no.1, pp. 15.
Chiaho, S 2012, Chronic Hepatitis B and C: Basic Science to Clinical Applications, World Scientific, NY.
Mullhaupt, B 2015, ‘Modeling the Health and Economic Burden of Hepatitis C Virus in Switzerland’, PLoS ONE vol. 10, no.6, pp. 1-13
Zhang, S 2015, ‘Cost-effectiveness of sofosbuvir-based treatments for chronic hepatitis C in the US’, BMC Gastroenterology, vol. 15, no.1, pp. 1-9.