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Health Line
14 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
The Progression of Hepatitis C: What Are the Stages?
Key takeaways Every case of hepatitis C begins as an acute infection. Infections that last more than 6 months are considered chronic. Many people with hepatitis C end up with chronic hepatitis C that can last a lifetime. The consequences of long-term infection include liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. Early detection and treatment are key for stopping the progression of hepatitis C and avoiding major complications. Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that leads to liver inflammation. Symptoms can be mild for many years, even while liver damage is taking place. Many people with hepatitis C end up with chronic hepatitis C that can last a lifetime. The consequences of long-term infection include liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. Early detection and treatment are key for stopping the progression of hepatitis C and avoiding major complications. How HCV is transmitted HCV is a bloodborne pathogen. That means the virus is transmitted through contact with blood that contains HCV. To reduce your risk of exposure: Avoid sharing razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and other personal hygiene items. Avoid sharing needles, syringes, and other sharps. Disinfect wounds and surfaces touched by blood and other bodily fluids as soon as possible. Patronize tattoo and body piercing studios that practice proper sterilization practices. HCV usually isn't transmitted through sexual contact, but it's possible. Using condoms, gloves, and other barrier methods during sexual activity can help reduce your risk. Birthing parents with HCV can also transmit the virus during childbirth, but not through nursing. Early warning signs In most cases, there are no early warning signs. Most people are symptom-free and remain unaware of the infection. Others experience mild symptoms, such as fatigue and loss of appetite, which tend to resolve independently. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 30% of people clear the infection within 6 months of exposure without medical intervention. Acute hepatitis C The acute phase of hepatitis C is the first 6 months after contracting HCV. Early symptoms may include: fever fatigue loss of appetite nausea and vomiting In most cases, symptoms clear up within a few weeks. If your immune system doesn't fight the infection on its own, it enters the chronic phase. Given the vague nature of the symptoms, hepatitis C may go unnoticed for years. It's often discovered during a blood test that's being done for other reasons. Chronic hepatitis C Approximately 70% of people will go on to develop chronic hepatitis C. However, even in the chronic phase, it may take years for symptoms to show. The progression begins with inflammation of the liver, followed by the death of liver cells. This causes scarring and hardening of liver tissue. Roughly 15–30% of people with chronic hepatitis C go on to develop cirrhosis of the liver within 20 years. Cirrhosis of the liver When permanent scar tissue replaces healthy liver cells, and your liver loses the ability to function, it's called cirrhosis. In this condition, your liver can no longer heal itself. This can cause fluid to build up in your abdomen and the veins in your esophagus to bleed. When the liver fails to filter toxins, they can build up in your bloodstream and impair brain function. Cirrhosis of the liver can sometimes develop into liver cancer. This risk is greater in people who drink excess alcohol. Treatment of cirrhosis depends on the progression of the condition. End-stage hepatitis C Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious long-term health consequences when it leads to liver scarring. End-stage hepatitis C occurs when the liver is severely damaged and can no longer function properly. Symptoms may include: fatigue nausea and vomiting loss of appetite abdominal swelling yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) muddled thinking People with cirrhosis may also experience bleeding in the esophagus, as well as brain and nervous system damage. A liver transplant is the only treatment for end-stage liver disease. Factors that affect the progression Because alcohol is processed in the liver, consumption of excess alcohol can hasten liver damage, so it's important not to drink it. Damage also progresses faster in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV. People who also have hepatitis B are at an increased risk of developing liver cancer. Males who have cirrhosis tend to experience faster disease progression than females. People over 40 with cirrhosis also experience faster disease progression than younger people. If you suspect that you have hepatitis C, consult with a healthcare professional as soon as possible. Early detection and treatment are the best ways to prevent and treat any serious complications or progression. Frequently asked questions What is the life expectancy of a person with hepatitis C? Many people live for years after receiving a hepatitis C diagnosis. Your outlook ultimately depends on the stage at diagnosis, whether liver damage has occurred, and your overall health. How many people experience long-term complications of hepatitis C? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5–25 out of every 100 people who have hepatitis C develop cirrhosis within 10–20 years. People who develop cirrhosis have a 3–6% annual risk of hepatic decompensation or 'decompensated' cirrhosis. This occurs when your liver function decreases and may be a sign of end-stage hepatitis C. People who develop cirrhosis also have a 1–4% annual risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, which is the most common type of primary liver cancer. What are the chances of dying from hepatitis C? Hepatitis C alone typically isn't fatal, but complications from untreated or advanced hepatitis C can be. People who develop decompensated cirrhosis, for example, have a 15–20% risk of death within a year of diagnosis. If you have questions about your outlook, talk with your healthcare professional. They're the only person with direct insight into your diagnosis and medical history.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
A father of 3 felt healthy. Then a routine screening found a rare, deadly illness.
Curtis Jackson was feeling fit and healthy in late 2020 when he decided to update his life insurance policy: He was in better shape than he'd been in a while, but he wanted to make sure his wife and three kids were taken care of if anything happened to him. Jackson, now 46, underwent an intensive physical, and everything seemed to be going well until he received a strange phone call. The call was focused on a questionnaire he had filled out. Jackson had truthfully marked that he did not drink alcohol. But his liver numbers were those of "a functioning alcoholic," he was told. It set off alarm bells. Jackson went to his primary care physician for another round of bloodwork. That doctor thought he had a problem with his gallbladder. Jackson went to have his gallbladder removed. During that operation, doctors found he had an unusual condition called primary sclerosing cholangitis, or PSC. The chronic, progressive disease affects the liver and inflames the bile ducts, causing liver damage. Patients eventually need a liver transplant. There's also a small but real chance of a deadly diagnosis: a dangerous cancer called cholangiocarcinoma. Early treatment and diagnosis can make a difference, so Jackson started undergoing two MRIs a year at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona to make sure he was cancer-free. He also had a regular test to check the progress of his PSC. In October 2024, Jackson had a nerve-wracking appointment where the technician scoping him seemed "very concerned." He felt healthy, but was worried by the appointment. "She didn't say that it was cancer, but she was hinting towards it," Jackson said. Curtis Jackson at home in April 2025. Mayo Clinic Three weeks later, Jackson and his wife received the news he had been dreading: The tests had diagnosed him with the deadly cancer. He would need to undergo intensive treatment to try to fight the illness. It felt like a repeat of when he had had the initial PSC diagnosis. "I was feeling fine ... and both times netted a result of something pretty serious," Jackson said. What is cholangiocarcinoma? Cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer, is considered a silent killer, according to Dr. Tanios Bekaii-Saab, the chairman of the division of hematology and medical oncology at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. Bekaii-Saab was Jackson's oncologist. It tends to spread to other organs before symptoms appear, so most patients are diagnosed "too late to cure," Bekaii-Saab said. About 20% of people with PSC are diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, said Dr. Aqel Bashar, the director of the Mayo Clinic's Transplant Center in Phoenix, Arizona, who also treated Jackson. It's a rare disease, affecting about 1 in 100,000 people in the U.S., Bashar said. Not all cases are associated with PCS. Like many other cancers, it is on the rise, Bekaii-Saab said, with diagnoses of cholangiocarcinoma increasing more than 50% in the past decade. Fewer than 10% of the people diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma live more than five years, Bashar said. The best way to treat cholangiocarcinoma is with a liver transplant, Bekaii-Saab said. But it can only be done if the disease is caught early, before the cancer spreads. Many cholangiocarcinoma patients are not eligible for a liver transplant. Thankfully, Jackson's case was caught early. He underwent three weeks of chemotherapy and radiation to kill as many cancer cells as possible. "Basically, I lived at Mayo Clinic. I would literally do work out of the parking lot, and then go and do radiation," Jackson said. During treatment, he lost about 30 pounds. But despite the odds, he remained optimistic that everything would work out. He even encouraged his wife to start a long-anticipated kitchen renovation. In the middle of the process, the family was told a liver was available. On March 6, he was wheeled into surgery. The Jackson family and their dog Lucy at home in April 2025. From left: Stetson Jackson, Gwyn Jackson, Rooney Jackson, Curtis Jackson and Kim Jackson. Mayo Clinic Surgery and recovery The surgery took about four hours. Six days later, Jackson was released from the hospital. Testing showed that he was cancer-free. For the next year, he will undergo weekly blood tests and have monthly check-ups. He will need close monitoring for the rest of his life, Bashar said, since his transplant needs to be monitored and doctors need to make sure his cholangiocarcinoma does not return. For now, Jackson is trying to focus on his home and family, he said. His routine is "pretty close to normal," though he still can't lift more than 10 pounds, and climbing stairs can be draining. He gained back much of the weight he lost in treatment, and his energy levels are close to where they were before the cancer diagnosis. "Things are definitely getting back to normal, which is really exciting. I wasn't expecting that so fast," Jackson said. "We might call it either lucky, or blessed, or whatever. I am just so thankful that I was able to bounce back so quickly." Curtis Jackson and his children hours after his transplant surgery. Jackson family The Jacksons are putting the finishing touches on the kitchen renovation, and planning to travel to North Carolina for vacation this summer. He also wants to plan family trips outside the country once he needs less frequent check-ups. His other priority is turning his story into something that can help others, and advocating for organ transplant and donation. "I have a new passion now," Jackson said. "I'm here because of these things. I would like to help this going forward and make sure people are learning the importance of donation."
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Residents invited to take part in liver testing
Residents in Stoke-on-Trent are being invited to take part in free liver testing at two local roadshows funded by a doctor who died from cancer. Dr Alison Brind, 63, who specialised in liver disease, worked with patients in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire for more than 25 years. The consultant gastroenterologist, who worked at University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022 and died in April last year. After identifying people at risk of liver disease at roadshows in 2023, Dr Brind, who raised more than £10,000 for the UHNM charity, decided to fund the scheme for another five years, organisers said previously. Two Love Your Liver roadshows are being held at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium on Tuesday and at Port Vale Football Club on Wednesday between 10:00 and 16:00 BST. Vanessa Carr, liver clinical nurse specialist, said visitors would be offered a free liver health scan and could also speak to a dedicated liver health team for advice and support. "One in 10 adults in Stoke-on-Trent may have liver disease but be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages," she said. "But the earlier the disease is detected, the better chance there is to reduce and then reverse any damage." Ms Carr said liver disease remained one of the leading causes of premature death in the area. "None of this would have been possible without Dr Alison Brind who has been an absolute inspiration to us over the past 25 years and we continue to work in her memory," she said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. 'Truly inspirational' doctor and fundraiser dies Doctor with cancer 'honoured' by work award 'I want to be remembered for liver disease work' UHNM
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Stoke-on-Trent: Free liver tests at events funded by late doctor
Residents in Stoke-on-Trent are being invited to take part in free liver testing at two local roadshows funded by a doctor who died from Alison Brind, 63, who specialised in liver disease, worked with patients in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire for more than 25 consultant gastroenterologist, who worked at University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022 and died in April last identifying people at risk of liver disease at roadshows in 2023, Dr Brind, who raised more than £10,000 for the UHNM charity, decided to fund the scheme for another five years, organisers said previously. Two Love Your Liver roadshows are being held at Stoke City's Bet365 Stadium on Tuesday and at Port Vale Football Club on Wednesday between 10:00 and 16:00 BST. Vanessa Carr, liver clinical nurse specialist, said visitors would be offered a free liver health scan and could also speak to a dedicated liver health team for advice and support."One in 10 adults in Stoke-on-Trent may have liver disease but be completely unaware because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages," she said."But the earlier the disease is detected, the better chance there is to reduce and then reverse any damage."Ms Carr said liver disease remained one of the leading causes of premature death in the area."None of this would have been possible without Dr Alison Brind who has been an absolute inspiration to us over the past 25 years and we continue to work in her memory," she said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
HepatoBurn Announces Official Website Update Featuring Natural Daily Supplement for Metabolic Health and Liver Function
Science-Inspired Supplement Supports Liver Function and Metabolic Health as Part of a Daily Adult Wellness Routine Taylor, June 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HepatoBurn, a U.S.-based wellness brand, has updated its official website to share new information about its natural daily supplement formulated to support metabolic health and liver function in adults. Now available nationwide, the plant-based formula is positioned as a convenient, routine-friendly option for individuals seeking natural metabolic balance and detox support. According to the official product website ( HepatoBurn is designed to work synergistically with the body's internal systems to help maintain a healthy metabolism and support the liver's natural detoxification processes. The company emphasizes ease of use, noting that the supplement fits into everyday routines without the need for restrictive diets or complex wellness regimens. 'We created HepatoBurn to help individuals feel more energized, supported, and balanced,' said a company spokesperson. 'Our goal is to simplify wellness through science-backed, natural ingredients that integrate into daily life.' The company confirms that HepatoBurn is manufactured in U.S.-based facilities following rigorous safety and quality control standards. While the formula's specific ingredients are detailed on the official website, the product is crafted for adults seeking support with healthy energy levels, metabolic efficiency, and overall wellness. As stated on the site, first-time customers are backed by a satisfaction guarantee. Those interested in learning more about HepatoBurn, its intended benefits, and how to purchase directly can access full product details, FAQs, and secure ordering options through the official website. About HepatoBurn HepatoBurn is a Michigan-based wellness brand committed to delivering natural health supplements that are easy to use, transparent in formulation, and built for daily lifestyle integration. The company's mission is to help adults pursue optimal wellness through trustworthy, quality-driven solutions. Product and Contact Information Brand: HepatoBurnWebsite: support@ +1 855-391-2736Mailing Address: 22701 Trolley Industrial Dr Suite C, Taylor, MI 48180, USA Disclaimer This release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The statements made about this product have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Individual results may vary. Consumers should consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new dietary supplement. CONTACT: Email: support@ Phone: +1 855-391-2736Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
