Hepatitis C in Men: Its Manifestations, Origins, and Remedies
Hepatitis C, a viral infection that affects the liver, has been found to impact males more severely than females. A recent study reveals several factors contributing to this disparity, including differences in liver fibrosis progression, co-infection rates, and hormonal influences.
One such hormone is estradiol, a female hormone, which may interfere with the assembly and release of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Research suggests that estradiol's anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects could help mitigate the severity of liver damage in women, potentially enhancing their ability to manage HCV infections more effectively.
Women generally have a slower progression of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis compared to men, especially in younger women. This difference diminishes with age, particularly after menopause, suggesting a protective effect of female hormones. Men are more likely to have co-infections with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and HIV, which can complicate HCV progression.
The gender disparity in HCV severity also impacts treatment outcomes. Women tend to have better treatment outcomes for HCV, with higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates when treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). However, this advantage is somewhat reduced in postmenopausal women, likely due to the decrease in protective sex hormones.
As of 2019, doctors diagnose 21 males with hepatitis C for every 10 females with the condition. The mortality rate for individuals with HCV infection is 2.3 times higher than the general population, and among those aged 30-69 years, it is 4.6 times higher. An estimated 2.4 million people are living with hepatitis C in the United States.
The hepatitis C virus causes the infection and spreads through contact with the blood of a person with hepatitis C. Prevention measures include using barrier methods during sexual activities, avoiding sharing needles, seeking reputable tattoo and body piercing parlors, and seeking medical advice if a person suspects they are at risk.
Chronic hepatitis C may lead to liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. It can cause persistent fatigue, depression, and may begin with an acute infection, which often does not cause symptoms, but can also cause flu-like illness within a few weeks of exposure to the virus. Treatments can cure hepatitis C in most people, but the virus can reoccur, and medications do not reverse liver damage.
Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine to protect against hepatitis C infection. A person with hepatitis C may experience right upper quadrant pain, abdominal pain, joint pain, particularly in the hands and wrists. A blood test can determine if a person has HCV. Researchers have identified at least 7 genotypes of HCV, with the most common genotypes in the U.S. being genotypes 1, 2, and 3.
Individuals recommended for hepatitis C testing include children born to a mother with hepatitis C, people who currently use or formerly used injectable drugs, anyone taking clotting factor concentrates that manufacturers produced before 1987, anyone who underwent a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July 1992, anyone undergoing hemodialysis, people with abnormal levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), healthcare workers, people who have HIV, and anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to the virus.
A doctor should be consulted to discuss treatment options and methods to reduce the risk of the condition worsening. It is also crucial to avoid alcohol and certain medications to reduce the risk of further liver damage.
- The liver disease caused by Hepatitis C, a viral infection, may progress more slowly in younger women due to hormonal influences, specifically estradiol's anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
- In the context of medical-conditions, chronic hepatitis C is associated with chronic diseases like liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, which can be exacerbated by alcoholuse and certain medications.
- Paxlovid, a direct-acting antiviral, has shown higher sustained virologic response rates in women with Hepatitis C, but this advantage may decrease in postmenopausal women as protective sex hormones diminish.
- Health-and-wellness initiatives should focus on targeting individuals at risk of hepatitis C, such as those with abnormal levels of alanine aminotrans transferase (ALT), healthcare workers, people with HIV, and those who suspect they may have been exposed to the virus through contact with an infected person's blood.
- In light of the current lack of a hepatitis C vaccine, it is essential to prioritize prevention measures like using barrier methods during sexual activities, avoiding sharing needles, and seeking reputable tattoo and body piercing parlors to minimize the risk of infection.
