What are the diagnostic criteria for hepatitis C?

The treatment of liver disease has always been a topic of concern to everyone, especially hepatitis, which we often hear about. Each type of hepatitis will cause great harm to the human body, which leads many people to have a fear of hepatitis. In fact, as long as you pay good attention to it and avoid being infected, early detection can cure hepatitis as soon as possible. Let's take a look at the diagnostic criteria for hepatitis C.

1. Anti-HCV

That is, hepatitis C antibody, which is currently the main indicator for diagnosing hepatitis C virus infection. However, since anti-HCV test results develop slowly after HCV infection, usually turning positive 2 to 6 months or even 1 year after onset, it cannot be used as a method for early diagnosis. Moreover, one negative result cannot directly negate the diagnosis. When specific markers for various types of viral hepatitis are negative, and clinical symptoms and elevated ALT levels indicate acute viral hepatitis, hepatitis C should be considered.

2. HCV-RNA

That is, the RNA of the hepatitis C virus, which is the genetic material of HCV and a direct indicator of HCV infection in the body. Currently, the PCR method can be used to directly detect HCV-RNA in the blood and can be used for early diagnosis of HCV infection. Because it appears earlier than hepatitis C antibodies, it is a useful indicator for the etiological diagnosis of hepatitis C and for determining its infectiousness.

In short, for patients suspected of hepatitis C who have typical clinical manifestations and whose onset is closely related to blood transfusion and blood products, and who have ruled out other hepatitis, further tests for HCV-RNA and anti-HCV can be conducted. If both HCV-RNA and anti-HCV are positive or HCV-RNA alone is positive, hepatitis C can be confirmed.

Interferon has a good antiviral effect on acute hepatitis C, and 90% of patients can achieve complete response and recover completely; chronic hepatitis C is relatively milder than hepatitis B, and there is a chance to eliminate the virus and recover through standard antiviral treatment. Some patients may develop cirrhosis or liver cancer 20-30 years after infection.

Hepatitis C is a virus that can easily develop into cirrhosis, so patients must receive timely treatment. Hepatitis C in the early stages can be cured. Since hepatitis C is contagious, it is recommended that female friends do not get pregnant while they are carrying hepatitis C, otherwise the disease will be passed on to the child, causing harm to the child's health.