| Hepatitis C is one of the seven types of hepatitis, a | | | | enveloped, single-stranded, positive sense RNA virus |
| disease that takes on many forms and features | | | | of the Hepacivirus genus and Flaviviridae family. This |
| inflammation of the liver. Although this type does not | | | | virus binds to receptors, the CD81 and Scavenger |
| reveal many signs or symptoms, there are various | | | | Receptor class b1, on liver tissue when circulating in |
| treatments that can be used to cure this disease, | | | | the bloodstream. Based on genetic differences, HCV |
| one of which is a combination of interferon alfa | | | | is classified into six genotypes that can be |
| injections and ribavirin capsules. But for mild hepatitis | | | | transmitted by blood contact. Unlike hepatitis A and |
| C, doctors will recommend bed rest, a healthy diet, | | | | B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. But there are |
| and some medications after diagnosis. | | | | available treatments that may vary depending on the |
| Hepatitis C is diagnosed through a blood test to | | | | HCV genotype. |
| determine the severity of the disease. In the case of | | | | In spite of the discovery of HCV, much |
| chronic hepatitis, the illness can be assessed through | | | | experimentation should still be done in order to come |
| a tissue sample from the liver. Aside from this, there | | | | up with drugs to better treat this disease. Even with |
| are many other tests for liver function that can be | | | | the development of excellent diagnostic methods, |
| conducted to determine to what extent the liver is | | | | the production of specific drugs that work against |
| affected by the hepatitis C virus. | | | | HCV is yet to come. But with the advancement in |
| In 1989, investigators at Chiron, Inc., discovered the | | | | science and technology, they soon will be discovered. |
| hepatitis C virus, better known as HCV. This is an | | | | |