The hepatitis c virus (HCV) is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are about 4.3 million people living with HCV in the US, and Ohio is one of the states with the highest rates of HCV infection. Although there has been a decrease in recent years, nearly 90,000 people were reported to be living with chronic hepatitis in Ohio between the years 2013 and 2016.
Hepatitis c virus is a serious disease that can cause liver damage and even death. That's why it's so important for people in Ohio who think they might have HCV to get tested and treated as soon as possible. There are now several effective treatments for HCV, and many people can be cured of the disease.
At HepCMyWay, we are committed to helping people in Ohio get the treatment they need to cure chronic hepatitis c. We offer online treatment and prescription delivery that is convenient and affordable, and our team of experts can help you every step of the way.
Here's what you need to know about hepatitis c in Ohio, and how HepCMyWay can help you get the treatment you need.
What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that attacks the liver and can cause serious damage. Like other infectious diseases, hepatitis c virus infection begins when the virus enters the body and starts to multiply. The virus is then spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluids from an infected person.
The liver is a vital organ that helps to filter toxins from the blood and plays a role in many other important body functions. When the liver is damaged by HCV, it can't function properly. This can lead to a build-up of toxins in the blood, as well as other serious health problems.
How is Hep C Transmitted in Ohio?
There are many ways to get hepatitis C, but at their essence, all of them result in contact with contaminated blood from an infected person. Some of the most frequent ways in which the hepatitis c virus is transmitted in Ohio include:
- Sharing needles or other injection drug equipment
- Being born to a mother with HCV
- Receiving a transfusion of infected blood
- Having unprotected sex with someone who has HCV
- Sharing razors or toothbrushes with an infected person
Injecting drugs is the most common way HCV is transmitted in Ohio. In fact, around 25% of new HCV infections in the state are among people who use injection drugs.
Studies suggest that there may even be a correlation between Ohio counties that show high rates of hep c infection and counties where opioid use is most prevalent in the state.
What Are the Symptoms of Hep C?
Many people with a hepatitis C infection don't develop symptoms at all, especially in the early stages of the disease. This is one of the reasons why HCV is so dangerous -- it can silently cause liver damage for years without you even knowing it.
When people do develop acute symptoms, they can include:
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to get tested for hepatitis C as soon as possible. Even if your symptoms go away, the virus might still be present in your body and causing damage to your liver, ultimately resulting in liver failure.
Diagnosing Hepatitis C
If you think you might have hepatitis C, the only way to know for sure is to get tested. There are two different types of hepatitis c tests: a blood test and a liver biopsy.
- Blood tests can confirm hepatitis C infection, but they can't tell you how much damage has been done to your liver. A liver biopsy is a more invasive test that involves removing a small piece of liver tissue to be examined for damage.
- Liver biopsies are usually only recommended for people who have chronic liver disease due to HCV and are considering treatment. If you're diagnosed with HCV, your doctor will likely want to monitor your liver function with regular blood tests to prevent liver failure.
Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for people with hepatitis c. The virus can cause serious liver damage, and the sooner you confirm HCV infection and start treatment, the better your chances are of avoiding serious health problems down the road.
Hepatitis C Treatment
If you're diagnosed with viral hepatitis, the good news is that there are now highly effective treatments available. In the past, HCV treatment was long, difficult, and often unsuccessful. But newer antiviral drugs designed to treat hepatitis can cure the infection in as little as 8-12 weeks.
The most common HCV treatment is a combination of two direct-acting antiviral medicines called sofosbuvir and ribavirin. These antiviral medicines work by interfering with the way the virus replicates, which can eventually lead to the virus being completely eradicated from your body.
People with hepatitis c in Ohio have access to these hep c medications through HepCMyWay. HepCMyWay is an online program that provides people in OH and PA with HCV the opportunity to receive treatment from the comfort of their own homes.
Get Accessible Online Hep C Treatment
People in Ohio who may be at risk for hepatitis c infection deserve to be as informed as possible about their options for treatment. HepCMyWay is committed to providing patients with the resources they need to make informed decisions about their health.
If you've received a positive diagnosis of hepatitis C in Ohio or Pennsylvania, HepCMyWay can help you get started with hepatitis C treatment online and cure hepatitis from the comfort of your own home.
We'll connect you with a real, competent specialist who can answer your hepatitis c questions and help you choose the right treatment for your individual needs.
No insurance? No problem. HepCMyWay will treat you regardless of your provider or insurance situation, so you can focus on what's important: getting better.
Ready to be free from Hep C? As the top provider of online Hep C treatment near you, we make receiving the care you need as easy as 1, 2, 3. Get started with HepCMyWay today.
