Homeopathy Is Alternative To Antiviral Hepatitis C Treatment - By: darellbelen

All hepatitis conditions affect the liver: inflammatory cells are present in the tissue of the organ. Acute hepatitis lasts for less than six months. The disease is classed as chronic if it lasts for longer than that. Although some hepatitis conditions are caused by toxins (some medications and plants, but especially alcohol), most are caused by one of the hepatitis viruses. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified in 1987. It is now thought that almost 300 million people are infected world wide with hepatitis C. Hepatitis C treatment usually requires antiviral drugs such as Pegasys, PEG-Intron and ribavirin. Homeopathic treatments are also available, which can show reduction in the viral load, without side effects associated with the antiviral treatment.

Most hepatitis cases are caused by virus infections. These include Hepatitis A-E, herpes simplex, Eppstein-Barr virus, adenoviruses and Yellow Fever. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) was suspected to exist since the mid-1970s, and confirmed in 1987. It is currently estimated that between 270 and 300 million people world wide are infected with hepatitis C.

The HCV virus is transmitted by blood to blood contact. This can be via blood transfusions, unsterilized needles, sexual contact, or other blood contact (e. G. During contact sports). In developing countries transmission is often via blood transfusions (because of inadequate screening), and via unsterilized injection equipment in medical procedures.

In the US, and other developed countries, good medical practice, and blood donor screening make transmission during medical procedures quite rare. However a great many people were infected before the virus was identified, and effectively screened for during blood donations.

Most commonly in the developed world people become infected with HCV via unsterilized needles, often being shared by groups of intravenous drug abusers. Tattooing and body piercing equipment are also common routes for the infection to spread. Sexual transmission is now believed to be relatively uncommon, and really only a problem in the presence of any other STD which might cause open sores in the genital area.

The acute phase of hepatitis occurs during the first 6 months. Often (60-70% of cases) there are no symptoms, and if there are symptoms they can be very mild and non-specific, making diagnosis in this phase very uncommon. If symptoms do occur in the acute phase they may be flu-like symptoms such as tiredness and fatigue, decreased appetite etc. Other symptoms can include jaundice, itching and abdominal pain.

When hepatitis lasts for more than six months it is referred to as chronic hepatitis. Often there are no symptoms, and the disease may only be discovered accidentally in a routine checkup. This does not mean that the disease is harmless, as it will over time progress to liver scarring (fibrosis) and advanced scarring (cirrhosis).

As the disease has only been known for twenty years, data about the long term prognosis is patchy. Some studies suggest that one third of untreated cases will progress to cirrhosis in 20 years, and a further third will progress by 30 years. Other estimates are rather lower than this.

In some cases the chronic infection will clear itself without any treatment, but in most cases hepatitis C treatment will be required. At the moment a combination of the antiviral drugs Pegasys, PEG-Intron and ribavirin are usually prescribed. Treatment lasts between 24 and 48 weeks depending on the specific HCV genotype. Treatment can be physically difficult, especially for those with a history of drug and alcohol abuse. In some cases patients can register as disabled during the treatment period. Homeopathic treatments are also available, which can show reduction in the viral load, without side effects associated with the antiviral treatment.

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