Hepatitis C is an infectious condition, caused by the virus with the same name. It can be acute or chronic, with the severity ranging from mild to severe and potentially life-threatening complications, such as cirrhosis or liver cancer.
The condition can be a lifelong illness, with a negative impact on the quality of life; which is why you must use a Hepatitis C treatment tracker app to manage your treatment and potentially improve your outcome.
Recent statistics mention an estimated number of 71 million people worldwide, who suffer from this medical issue. A large proportion of these people will develop either cirrhosis or liver cancer. In 2016, almost 400.000 people have died from hepatitis C, with the above-mentioned complications.
Modern medicine has allowed for the appearance of antiviral medication, which can cure over 95% of those who suffer from hepatitis C. However, underdeveloped and impoverished countries commonly experience this infection, where access to such treatments is limited, and the diagnosis is often delayed until a late stage. (R)
Track Hepatitis C Effectively
CareClinic is a health app which was developed in order to help those who suffer from serious health issues such as hepatitis C. The application has a number of interesting features, being able to generate medication reminders and help one track current symptoms. It is a great tool for fighting hepatitis C, allowing one to keep an eye on the recommended treatment plan.
As you will read below, it can happen that hepatitis C does not cause any symptoms. Given this fact, it can be a true challenge to follow a complex treatment plan. The CareClinic health app is meant to increase medication adherence and offer additional support with regard to tracking one’s health. It serves as a pill reminder and much more, allowing effective treatment management.
Medication reminders for guaranteed treatment adherence
With such kind of support, people who suffer from hepatitis C find it easier to manage their condition in an effective and responsible manner. They use the medication reminder to follow their treatment to the letter. These reminders can be generated for each drug in particular, with one mentioning both the dose and frequency.
Such applications have been confirmed to increase medication adherence, helping some of the people who suffer from hepatitis C become cured altogether. For others, medication reminders help them stay on the right track and improve their health, feeling better overall.
Built-in health journal to document one’s condition
The CareClinic app features a built-in health journal for tracking symptoms of hepatitis C, medication usage, potential side effects, and additional health information. One can record the weight on a regular basis and also the results of blood tests.
Dealing with a condition such as hepatitis C can be difficult from an emotional point of view. You might experience depression, anxiety or chronic stress. Depending on the severity of your condition, you might battle feelings of irritability, anger or frustration.
The journal can be used to release negative emotions and improve your mental health. You can make notes on life with hepatitis C, expressing your true feelings and acknowledging that you are in control of your own health. Many people find this type of emotional release quite useful.
The app produces reports that users can share with healthcare professionals
The application collects information, including data from the health journal, symptom details, and health measurements, and compiles it into a monthly report. Users can print or export these reports as PDF documents to share with various healthcare professionals.
It is a big advantage to offer your treating physician an overview of your condition. You will no longer struggle to remember every little detail, and it will be of great comfort to be able to describe the effect of every medication, potential side effects, and other health-related data.
The physician can rely on the journal as a source of information, using the data generated by the application to assess the progress made by the patient and the treatment efficacy. In the situation that the therapy does not go as planned or the patient experiences discomforting side-effects, the treatment plan might be adjusted accordingly.
Hepatitis C Treatment Tracker App
A blood-borne virus, specifically targeting the liver, causes Hepatitis C. Without treatment, it can lead to the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer. In this situation, liver transplantation represents the only option and the chances of survival are not as high as expected.
In rare situations, it can happen that the immune system will destroy the virus on its own. However, in the majority of the cases, a complex intervention plan is required. With a number of different drugs being given to the patient. The treatment might spread over a couple of months, consisting mostly of pills (in the past injections were also used); these treatments should be tracked in a log.
How Hepatitis C is Transmitted?
Hepatitis C transmits through contact with the blood or other bodily fluids of an infected person. This virus commonly infects individuals who share needles or drugs, and it can also be transmitted through unprotected sex, transfusions, and from mother to child. There is a smaller risk of infection for those using contaminated personal hygiene products, such as toothbrushes or razors that have been in contact with infected blood.
Many people suffer from the infection with hepatitis C, without actually exhibiting symptoms. Given the fact that it is asymptomatic, it is often diagnosed when other investigations are made. Worldwide, millions of people suffer from a chronic form, with a high risk of cirrhosis, cancer and premature death.
Antiviral medication has reduced. However, the number of deaths caused by the hepatitis C infection and even managed to offer complete elimination of the virus. There is more than one type of hepatitis C virus, with each type having a distinct genotype.
As mentioned above, the condition appears as an acute infection, and it can progress to a chronic health issue. The severity can be mild, with the symptoms being present only for several weeks. Severe cases of hepatitis are the ones which are present long-term, often leading to complications. In 15% of those who become infected, the virus can disappear spontaneously. Several months after the infection (without receiving any treatment).
The Symptoms of Hepatitis C
The symptoms of the infection with the hepatitis C virus can appear several weeks after the contamination. One might complain of nausea and vomiting, appetite loss, diarrhea, feeling fatigued, abdominal and joint pain. Between 75% and 85% of those who are diagnosed with acute hepatitis C will develop the condition as chronic, risking complications. Signs of chronic infection include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), retention of water, dark yellow urine and circulation problems (one might bleed or bruise easily).
Although the liver is the primary target of the infection, it is essential to understand that other parts of the body can be affected. A common occurrence is vasculitis, which is the inflammation of the blood vessels (responsible for the circulation problems). Additional complications include chronic kidney disease, metabolic disease, cardiovascular disease, skin disorders, lymphatic system disease and other types of cancer.
Benefits of Early Diagnosis
The earlier one receives a diagnosis, the better the prognosis. It is advisable to consult a doctor if experiencing symptoms suggestive of hepatitis C, or if at risk of infection, or suspecting an infection.
Simple blood test can determine whether the infection with hepatitis C has taken place or not. After making an accurate diagnosis, the doctor can recommend an appropriate treatment and intervention plan. The main objective is to prevent or delay liver damage. In addition, educate the patient about measures to minimize the risk of infecting other people. (R)
Is hepatitis C a treatable condition?
While no vaccine exists for hepatitis C, antiviral medication can cure the condition. The treatment for this infection has improved significantly in the past few years.
Physicians commonly prescribe pegylated interferon and ribavirin for treating hepatitis C. These drugs are administered together to prevent the virus from multiplying within the body. In the past, pegylated interferon was available as an injection, and doctors administered it once per week. Today, both treatments are available as pills, there no injections needed.
The treatment with antiviral drugs rarely causes side effects, it guarantees the complete elimination of the virus. Follow up with it for up to three months. A new generation of medication, known as DDAs, aims to achieve a 100% cure rate for the infection. They do not have discomforting side effects, as medication used to have in the past (depression, nausea, fatigue). The treatment with these can vary between two and six months. The efficacy depends on the type of virus and the possibility of an early diagnosis. (R)
Hepatitis C statistics
- In people who suffer from chronic hepatitis, the risk of developing cirrhosis varies between 15% and 30% (within a period of 20 years)
- The sharing of infected needles (drug abuse) is responsible for 23% of the new infections with the hepatitis C virus and 33% of the overall mortality
- According to the World Health Organization, there were new 1.75 million cases of hepatitis C worldwide
- Approximately 80% of those infected with the hepatitis C virus show no symptoms, with the first noticeable signs typically arising from associated liver damage.
- Worldwide, there are 3.7 million people who live with HIV. There are approximately 2.3 million people have also suffered or suffer from the infection with the hepatitis C virus (a significant cause of mortality). (R)
Hepatitis C Treatment Management
The team behind CareClinic works hard to improve the user experience. More importantly for those who suffer from long-term illnesses and rely on the application for regular monitoring. The main idea is to deliver an application that corresponds to the needs of its users.
The CareClinic health app is simple to use, with a friendly interface and plenty of beneficial features. It offers valuable support to those who suffer from hepatitis C. Its benefits including medication reminders, health journals, monthly reports, and care plan creation.
On the journey towards recovery, one needs all the help he/she can get. Treat Hepatitis C as it is a serious infection. More importantly if one stops and thinks about the potential complications. Applications of this kind can help one monitor his/her condition and the efficacy of the prescribed treatment.
