HOME NEXT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Conditions Linked to HCV | |||||||||||||||
| A number of different conditions have been associated with HCV.Some of these are autoimmune conditions,in which the immune system attacks the body 's own tissues.Conditions sometimes seen in people with chronic HCV include Sj�gren's syndrome (characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth),kidney conditions such as glomerulonephritis,heart and circulatory problems such as thrombosis (blood clots),and skin conditions such as lichen planus (characterized by white lesions or bumps) and porphyria cutanea tarda (characterised by a sun-sensitive rash).Other related conditions include certain types of arthritis (joint inflammation),arthralgia (joint pain),thyroid disease, vasculitis (blood vessel damage),and cryoglobulinemia (high levels of a blood protein that settles in the kidneys,skin,and nerve endings).Most serious conditions are associated with late-stage HCV disease,when the liver is damaged and not able to function properly.Many people with HCV never experienceany of these conditions.Check with your doctor if you experi- ence any unusual symptoms. | |||||||||||||||
| Diagnosing HCV | |||||||||||||||
| HCV Antibody Tests | |||||||||||||||
| HCV ELISA is a simple blood test that can detect HCV antibodies. | |||||||||||||||
| RIBA HCV is a second antibody test that may be performed after an ELISA test to confirm the presence of HCV antibodies. | |||||||||||||||
| Viral Load Tests | |||||||||||||||
| Viral load tests measure the amount of HCV circulating in the blood.HCV viral load is expressed as either copies per milliliter of blood or as a standard unit of measurement called International Units.There are three different types of viral load test:HCV RNA PCR,branched-chain DNA (bDNA),and tran- scription mediated amplification,or TMA.The bDNA assay is the least expensive,but also the least sensitive.Viral load tests are used to confirm active HCV infection,to predict medical treatment response,and to measure how well the medications are working against the virus during treatment.An association between viral load and disease progression has not been established. HOME NEXT |
|||||||||||||||
| This information is provided by the Hepatitis C Support Project . a non-profit organization for HCV education, support and advocacy . � 2003 Hepatitis C Support Project . Reprint permission is granted and encouraged with credit to the Hepatitis C Support Project. | |||||||||||||||