Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infection. Most cases occur in people who share needles contaminated with traces of blood to inject 'street drugs'. Some people clear the infection naturally. Some people with persistent infection remain free of symptoms, but some have symptoms. After many years of infection some develop cirrhosis, and a few develop liver cancer. Treatment can clear the infection in up to half of cases.
What does the liver do?
The liver is in the upper right part of the abdomen. It has many functions which include:
- Storing glycogen (fuel for the body) which is made from sugars. When required, glycogen is broken down into glucose which is released into the bloodstream.
- Helping to process fats and proteins from digested food.
- Making proteins that are essential for blood to clot (clotting factors).
- Processing many medicines which you may take.
- Helping to remove or process alcohol, poisons and toxins from the body.
- Making bile which passes from the liver to the gut and helps to
- digest fats.
What is hepatitis and hepatitis C?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. There are many causes of hepatitis. For example, alcohol excess and various infections. Several different viruses can infect the liver and cause hepatitis. One type of virus which causes hepatitis is called the hepatitis C virus. This leaflet is only about hepatitis C. See other leaflets for information about hepatitis A and B which are different.
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fiona, about 1 year
Hi,i lost my mum 14yrs ago to liver cancer,she was the most beutiful lady ever a wonderful wife and mother.She had been ill for sometime and finalily went to the doctors they treated her for diabetes,she was pleased cause she had a result to her years of pain and discomfort! she never complained and the hospital didnt worry. I have been feeling very unwell myself for a long time and someone told me that my mum had hep c when she was young but it sounds like a sexual thing well i dont know what to think. I lost my dad 4 months to the day after my mum she died oct 17th and he died feb 17th Dont know why im sending you this i think i still miss them soooo much and i would like some help. Thanks for reading ths if you do! kind regards Fiona x
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