Ma. Jessel D.

Pabrigar
BSN3-LADY OF HOPE
ACTIVITY: 16

“Hepatitis C”
INTRODUCTION
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C can range
from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, long-term illness. Hepatitis C is
often described as “acute,” meaning a new infection, or “chronic,” meaning long-
term infection.
 Acute hepatitis C occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed
to the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis C can be a short-term illness, but for most
people, acute infection leads to chronic infection.
 Chronic hepatitis C can be a lifelong infection if left untreated. Chronic
hepatitis C can cause serious health problems, including liver damage,
cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, and even death.

Causes/Risk factors
CAUSES
Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection spreads
when blood contaminated with the virus enters the bloodstream of an uninfected
person. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing
needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.
RISK FACTORS
Your risk of hepatitis C infection is increased if you:

 Are a health care worker who has been exposed to infected blood, which
may happen if an infected needle pierces your skin
 Have ever injected or inhaled illicit drugs
 Have HIV
  Received a piercing or tattoo in an unclean environment using unsterile
equipment
 Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
 Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987
 Received hemodialysis treatments for a long period of time
 Were born to a woman with a hepatitis C infection
 Were ever in prison
 Were born between 1945 and 1965, the age group with the highest
incidence of hepatitis C infection
SYMPTOMS
Long-term infection with the hepatitis C virus is known as chronic hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis C is usually a "silent" infection for many years, until the virus
damages the liver enough to cause the signs and symptoms of liver disease.

Signs and symptoms include:

 Bleeding easily
 Bruising easily
 Fatigue
 Poor appetite
 Yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
 Dark-colored urine
 Itchy skin
 Fluid buildup in your abdomen (ascites)
 Swelling in your legs
 Weight loss
 Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
  Spiderlike blood vessels on your skin (spider angiomas)

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
DIAGNOSIS

Doctors can diagnose hepatitis C using blood tests:

 First, the doctor performs a simple blood test to look for hepatitis C
antibodies in the blood. A positive test means that the person has had
exposure to the virus, but it does not necessarily prove ongoing infection.
 If the antibody test is positive, the person may then have a second blood
test called a hepatitis C RNA test. This will check whether the virus is still
present in the blood.
 A third blood test — called a genotype test — can determine which type of
hepatitis C virus is present
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT

Direct-acting antiviral medicines (DAAs) can cure most cases of chronic hepatitis C
and acute hepatitis C. These are modern medicines that the authorities approved
in 2013. Most people tolerate the medications, with the most common side
effects being a headache and fatigue.

These medications work by targeting specific steps in the HCV life cycle to disrupt
the reproduction of viral cells.

DAAs to treat hepatitis C include:

 elbasvir/grazoprevir (Zepatier)
 glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Mavyret)
 ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (Harvoni)
 peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys)
 sofosbuvir (Sovaldi)
NURSING INTERVENTION
  Monitor dietary intake and caloric count. Suggest several small feedings
and offer “largest” meal at breakfast.
 Encourage mouth care before meals.
 Recommend eating in upright position.
 Encourage intake of fruit juices, carbonated beverages, and hard candy
throughout the day.
 Consult with dietitian, nutritional support team to provide diet according to
patient’s needs, with fat and protein intake as tolerated.
 Monitor serum glucose as indicated.
COMPLICATIONS
Hepatitis C infection that continues over many years can cause significant
complications, such as:

 Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). After decades of hepatitis C infection,

cirrhosis may occur. Scarring in your liver makes it difficult for your liver to
function.
 Liver cancer. A small number of people with hepatitis C infection may
develop liver cancer.
 Liver failure. Advanced cirrhosis may cause your liver to stop functioning.