Sometimes a person can become a carrier of hepatitis C. This occurs when the HCV virus enters the body. In this case, the disease does not cause any harm. However, the carrier can infect other people.
Carriers of the hepatitis C virus include patients with a chronic form of the disease during the weakening period. In other words, the pathogen is present in the body, but the person does not feel any signs of illness.
Carriage can be diagnosed only through laboratory tests. The risk of infection depends on the activity of the virus: in the acute stage, the patient can infect other people, in the chronic stage the probability of infection is much less.
The meaning of the concept "carrier"
Who is a carrier of hepatitis C and what does it mean? Hepatitis C is considered an infectious pathology. The causative agent of the disease affects the liver and is characterized by a high tendency to genetic mutations. The virus, penetrating the liver cells, begins to actively multiply. From the liver it enters the bloodstream and viremia occurs.
Lack of proper and timely treatment can lead to dangerous consequences, such as liver cirrhosis or cancer. These diseases are dangerous and fatal.
Medicine knows about 40 subspecies of the virus. Thanks to this feature, the virus is able to masquerade as other pathologies.
The disease progresses:
- in acute form;
- in a chronic form.
The acute form is rarely recognized and often goes away on its own.
In most cases, the disease becomes chronic. The incubation period of the disease can last from 14 days to six months. During this period, a person may not have any manifestations of the disease. In addition, during primary infection, the virus may not manifest itself for years and a carrier of hepatitis C, without even knowing it, can infect others. Carriage of the pathogen is a condition when the virus is already in the blood, but does not show any signs. Many hepatologists do not distinguish virus carriage as a special condition, but believe that it is a manifestation of the initial stage of the disease or a chronic form of hepatitis with low activity.
A person infected with hepatitis C is considered more dangerous than the carrier, since there is a higher concentration of the virus in his blood. However, the carrier is also a source of infection for others.
There is an opinion that the liver tissue of virus carriers is not damaged. But medical studies have shown that in some patients the virus still affected the liver. Its cells are damaged not only by the virus, but also due to the activity of the immune system.
If a person’s immune system works correctly, it can prevent the virus from multiplying in liver cells. In such situations, a person becomes a carrier of hepatitis C. Patients should undergo regular medical examination to avoid the progression of the disease, and, if necessary, begin treatment in a timely manner. Carriers of the hepatitis C virus do not have clinical signs of the disease, but they are a source of infection and dangerous to others.
Main causes of false reactions
Experts identify the following reasons:
- Pregnancy.
- Autoimmune diseases.
- The presence of oncological processes in the body.
- Infectious diseases in severe form.
- Irregularities in the functioning of the immune system.
- The use of medications, the action of which is aimed at activating and stimulating the immune system.
- The presence of benign tumors.
- Heparin levels in the blood due to the use of certain medications.
- High concentrations of cryoglobulin in the blood.
- Paraproteinemia.
- Autoimmune hepatitis.
- Acute infectious lesions of the upper respiratory tract.
- Recent vaccination against influenza or tetanus.
- A course of alpha-interferon therapy administered shortly before the study.
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- errors made by medical staff during the analysis;
- incorrectly prepared blood samples;
- accidentally substituted samples;
- initial stage of disease development;
- violations associated with the processes of transportation and storage of biomaterial;
- low level of qualification of laboratory technicians;
- exposure of blood samples to elevated temperatures;
- contamination of biomaterial;
- cross reaction;
- nonspecific reaction.
In addition to physiological factors, a false-positive analysis can be triggered by a number of external reasons. The most common of them are the following:
Conflicting indicators when determining antibodies to hepatitis C may occur when using diagnostic kits from different manufacturers.
Cases have been recorded of obtaining opposite results when examining the same blood serum with various diagnostic tests. The fact is that diagnostic kits are based on the use of certain antigens to interact with antibodies in biomaterial, which causes a false positive test result.
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How does infection occur?
Due to the ability of the hepatitis C virus to mutate quickly, the human body does not develop immunity after an illness. The developed antibodies to hepatitis in a recovered patient are not able to protect him from re-infection.
A patient or carrier of hepatitis cannot infect others through airborne droplets.
You can become infected in the following ways:
- during surgical operations, blood transfusions in violation of sanitary rules;
- as a result of the use of unsterile needles by drug addicts;
- when applying piercings, tattoos, after manicure and pedicure, if the master used non-sterile instruments;
- sexually. The percentage of infection is low, but it exists;
- vertical way. During delivery, the baby can become infected from the infected mother.
The hepatitis C virus is resistant to environmental conditions and will remain active in dried material for several days. It is recommended to adhere to antiseptic rules in case of injury to the skin and contact with blood.
The virus is not transmitted through dishes, drinks, sputum, hugs, saliva, handshakes, or food. Infection requires drops of blood or semen from an infected person.
What is a false positive result?
A false-positive test for the presence of specific antibodies to hepatitis is recorded if the test results are positive, but there is no viral pathogen in the body. This can occur as a result of exposure to external or internal factors.
A false analysis is detected during additional research by PCR - it is not detected. Thus, the result of a blood test for hepatitis cannot be considered 100% reliable. That is why, in order to establish an accurate diagnosis and in order to prevent medical errors, the patient is prescribed a comprehensive examination with various studies.
Diagnosis of virus carriage
Hepatitis C is a dangerous disease that can masquerade as many diseases. What does it mean? It can be very difficult to detect manifestations of the disease, and in some situations it is completely impossible, especially when the disease is acute. Also, carriage of hepatitis C may not manifest itself in any way.
However, some suspicious symptoms can be identified that indicate the presence of a virus in a person’s blood:
- Constant weakness, loss of strength, malaise.
- Fast and frequent fatigue.
- Lack of appetite.
- Attacks of nausea.
- Decreased performance and learning ability.
- Frequent joint pain.
- Signs of jaundice: yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes, whites of the eyes.
- Sometimes the liver may become enlarged.
If even one of the above symptoms appears, a person should consult a doctor for examination. However, these signs are often attributed to overwork, and the disease is discovered by chance already in its advanced stages.
Modern diagnostic methods, unfortunately, are not able to determine the period during which a person was a carrier of the virus. However, diagnostics can accurately determine the presence of the virus in the blood.
To make a diagnosis, doctors most often use the following methods:
- polymerase chain reaction. This blood test detects the DNA of the virus;
- serological study. This method helps detect antibodies in the blood;
- liver tests. Allows you to identify various deviations in the biochemical composition of the blood;
- ultrasound examination of the liver;
- histological and cytological examination of biomaterial obtained through liver biopsy.
All of the above tests make it possible to accurately assess the condition of the liver and determine the genotype of the virus. The presence of the virus or a previous illness will be indicated by the detection of total antibodies.
In addition, based on the results of the study, the doctor determines an effective treatment regimen if necessary. It is recommended to take tests during the therapeutic course to monitor the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. Timely initiation of therapy in most cases allows one to overcome the virus.
How to treat a carrier of hepatitis C
If during research in a patient without symptoms of the disease RNA of the pathogen and specific antibodies were detected, then in the absence of confirmed liver damage, the doctor does not prescribe antiviral treatment. However, a person is recommended to follow a diet, take hepatoprotectors, avoid drinking alcohol and undergo periodic examinations.
You can resort to traditional medicine methods and use herbal infusions from plants that have hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Consuming such herbal teas for 2-3 months several times a year will strengthen the immune system, maintain liver function, improve digestion and well-being.
When the virus is activated, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive treatment consisting of the following methods:
- antiviral therapy;
- taking hepatoprotectors to maintain the liver and normalize its functioning;
- immunotherapy;
- dietary nutrition.
In addition, the patient must limit himself from physical activity.
Even with a sluggish course of the disease, the virus has a detrimental effect on the liver, gradually destroying the organ. In addition, hepatitis C negatively affects the functioning of the immune system. This threatens the addition of other infections.
Hepatitis C is dangerous due to the development of the following complications:
- Carcinomas.
- Cirrhosis.
- Varicose veins in the esophagus.
- Portal hypertension.
- Hepatic encephalopathy.
In severe cases, liver failure and death may develop.
Pathology therapy
The prescribed treatment is influenced by many factors, for example, existing symptoms, viral load, and diseases associated with hepatitis C.
Therapy is carried out even if nothing bothers the person at the moment. Treatment is designed to prevent the development of the disease and its complications.
The course of treatment for the disease must be comprehensive. The patient is prescribed:
- Antiviral drugs. They are the basis of therapy, as they help suppress the development of the pathogen. As a rule, Interferon is prescribed in combination with Ribavirin. More effective medications include Daclinase, Ledispavir or Sovaldi. However, they have a high cost. Therefore, various generics have been developed. They cost less, but are not inferior in effectiveness to the original products. The favorable price is determined by the place of production. Generics are manufactured in India and Egypt.
- Hepatoprotectors. Their action is aimed at protecting liver cells and restoring them. Essentiale, Karsil, Essliver are prescribed.
- Immunomodulators. Prescribed to maintain the body's defenses. The choice of immunomodulator should be made individually for each patient. In most cases, doctors recommend taking Lykopid and Polyoxidonium.
Any drug for the treatment of inactive hepatitis C should be prescribed by a doctor based on research. Self-medication can make the situation worse.
In addition, the patient needs to follow a special diet, give up bad habits and try to avoid stress.
Carriage of pathogens
A person can be a viral carrier for many years. The hepatitis virus can be in the blood and not manifest itself. Many people are interested in the question: is virus carriage dangerous for the body?
The presence of the hepatitis C virus in the blood is already considered a disease. The disease does not manifest itself because it is contained by the immune system. However, the virus gradually spreads, causing changes in liver cells.
What every virus carrier should remember
Carriage of hepatitis also poses a danger to the patient, because when an infection is attached to the virus, the immune system may malfunction and not prevent the disease.
In addition, the virus carrier poses a danger to others and for this reason a person is obliged to follow simple safety rules:
- At appointments with dentists and surgeons, when donating blood for testing, you should always inform the doctor about the presence of the virus in the blood.
- When visiting tattoo parlors and manicure salons, you should warn artists about your carrier status.
- Razors, toothbrushes, and manicure tools must only be individual.
- The carrier of the virus must be careful with skin injuries. The person assisting him should use rubber gloves to avoid infection.
- Use a condom every time you have sex, although there is a low chance of transmitting the virus, it does exist.
Compliance with these rules can reduce the risk of infection through frequent contact with a carrier of the disease.
Prevention of hepatitis C infection from a carrier
To prevent infection of others and loved ones, the patient should adhere to the following recommendations:
- if the skin is damaged, all surfaces on which blood has come into contact should be treated with a disinfectant, and the wound should be sealed with an adhesive plaster or a bandage applied to avoid further spread of the infection;
- Bed linen and clothes of the wearer should be washed in washing machines at high temperatures for at least half an hour or boiled for 2 minutes. Washed clothes should also be ironed at maximum temperature;
- Store personal hygiene products and jewelry separately.
Patients or carriers of the virus are prohibited from being donors. This reduces the risk of transmitting the virus through blood transfusion.
With timely diagnosis and treatment, you can get rid of such a dangerous disease as hepatitis C. It is not a death sentence; many carriers of the virus live happily ever after.
An important point is to follow preventive recommendations to protect others from infection. The risk of infection when shaking hands or kissing is quite low. Many infected women give birth to completely healthy children.
