Hepatitis C is a type of liver disease that can result in chronic infection and ongoing medical problems. In its progressive form, Hepatitis is associated with issues like cancer, permanent damage, and complete liver failure.
Hepatitis from drug use remains a serious risk. Research shows that anywhere from 70-90% of Americans who have injected drugs for over ten years have the Hepatitis C virus (hep C). Statistics may be trending down- mainly due to increased awareness and advanced treatment options, but the imminent danger still exists. Here’s what you need to know.
Can You Get Hepatitis From Needles?
Yes. Hep C can spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. Therefore, sharing needles poses a serious liability. The more you engage in this behavior, the more susceptible you are to this risk.
Sharing or even reusing own needles increases the chance of catching the virus. Furthermore, using syringes with detachable needles can be even more dangerous, as these syringes typically hold more blood.
Furthermore, needle use is also associated with other risky behaviors. Hep C can spread on surfaces, through fingers, and via drug-related paraphernalia. It can also spread through unprotected sex- because drugs lower people’s inhibitions, they may be more likely to engage in this behavior. Keep in mind that the virus itself is undetectable to the naked eye, and any of these actions can transmit it.
What Are The Illegal Drugs That Cause Liver Damage?
The liver is an essential part of the human body. It’s responsible for more than 500 basic functions, including digestion, metabolism, protein synthesis, and storing vitamins and minerals. With that in mind, nearly any illicit drug can aggravate or cause liver problems.
Moreover, Hep C and alcoholism also go hand-in-hand. Excess drinking can result in a fatty liver, which prevents the liver from working effectively. Research shows that nearly one-third of people with fatty liver develop liver inflammation, also known as alcoholic hepatitis.
Alcoholic hepatitis can be life-threatening, and approximately 30% of people who develop this condition die from it. In milder cases, it can result in swelling, appetite changes, itching, and general feelings of sickness.
How Can You Avoid the Risk of Hepatitis C?
Some risk of Hepatitis is inevitable. However, you can take several steps to reduce the likelihood of getting or spreading the virus.
Some of the riskiest behaviors include:
- Sharing infected needles.
- Directly engaging with infected blood or bodily fluids.
- Having sex with someone infected.
Along with drug use, people who work in healthcare, have been to prison, or were born between 1945-1965 have a higher likelihoood of being exposed.
It’s also important to know some of the key symptoms, which include:
- Stomach pain.
- Yellowed skin (jaundice).
- Low-grade fevers that don’t go away.
- Severe appetite changes.
- Fatigue and lethargy.
- Aching muscles, joints, or unexplained body pains.
- Dark urine.
- Pale or light brown stool.
While having one of these symptoms alone does not necessarily indicate Hep C, you should contact your healthcare provider if you notice any clusters or worsening symptoms. If you routinely use drugs intravenously, regular check-ups and assessments are even more crucial.
Can Hepatitis C Be Treated?
Although there are vaccines available for Hepatitis A and B, this option doesn’t exist for Hepatitis C.
In recent years, scientists and medical experts have made significant headway in treating Hep C. Today, antiviral medications can help directly remove the virus from your body. This process can happen as quickly as 8-24 weeks. If treatment is successful, the individual is considered cured from Hep C.
However, the medication option won’t work for everyone, especially because the body may not show any symptoms until after serious liver damage occurs. At this point, medication interventions may not be as effective.
Some people are appropriate candidates for liver transplantation. While the donated liver doesn’t cure the virus, the antiviral medication may offer more effective treatment.
Final Thoughts
Drug use invariably comes with numerous psychological and medical health risks. The longer you use- and the more frequently you use- the greater likelihood you have of facing such consequences.
That said, stopping isn’t as easy as wanting to stop. If you’re struggling to get your life back on track, you may need professional support. We are here to help. Contact us today at (866) 578-7471 to learn more.
