Hepatitis C is an infectious disease primarily targeting the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is contracted through blood-to-blood contact. For the first twelve weeks after infectivity with HCV, most people do not suffer any symptoms, but for those who do, the symptoms experienced are commonly mild and seldom infer the proper diagnosis of hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C can lead to fibrosis, or scarring, of the liver and eventually liver cirrhosis.

Here are two currently enrolling Hep C clinical trials:

Hepatitis C – DeLand, FL – #32720 (inpatient)

Hepatitis C – DeLand, FL – #32720 (outpatient)

Manifestations of acute infection include flu-like symptoms, jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, decreased appetite and itchiness. About 10-60% of infected people have normalization of liver enzymes. Such individuals rid of the virus during the acute phase, as signified by normal levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) and spontaneous viral/plasma HCV-RNA clearance. Unrelenting infections are frequent and usually develop into chronic hepatitis C.

Chronic hepatitis C is an HCV infection that lasts longer than six months. It is commonly clinically asymptomatic and accidentally discovered during routine physician check ups upon discovery and inspection of abnormally heightened liver enzyme levels. The rate at which liver scarring from hepatitis C progresses in individuals varies significantly, therefore making it very difficult to provide accurate estimates of individuals’ disease progression risks. Alcohol consumption, increased age, HIV co-infection and fatty liver cells are associated with faster HCV disease progression. Males have been found to have more rapid disease progression than females. Symptoms of chronic hepatitis C include fatigue, joint pain, itchiness, flu-like symptoms, nausea, inability to sleep, changes in appetite and depression. Symptoms impacting the liver don’t commonly show until there has been significant scarring of the liver.

Once hepatitis C has progressed to liver cirrhosis, decreased liver function and portal hypertension (increased pressure in the blood circulation of the liver) may cause the following symptoms: bruising and bleeding, ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen), jaundice and hepatic encephalopathy (cognitive impairment caused by a build-up of ammonia and other toxins that a healthy liver gets rid of). Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure, liver cancer and deathly varices (enlarged veins) in the abdomen and esophagus.

Treatment for hepatitis C involves a combination of an antiviral drug for 24 to 48 weeks and pegylated interferon-alpha-2a or pegylated interferon-alpha-2b.

Hepatitis C is rarely transmitted through sexual contact. The transmission of hepatitis C from a mother to her baby during birth (vertical transmission) is rare. Only a woman who is HCV-RNA positive at the time of delivery can transmit the disease to her baby, and the risk here is 6%.

Avail Clinical Research is currently enrolling participants ages 18-75 for inpatient studies on hepatitis C at its DeLand, Florida location. Additionally, Avail is also conducting outpatient studies on this disease. Browse our currently enrolling clinical trials to find out if you are eligible to participate. Participation in an Avail clinical study is free. You may be eligible to contribute to a richer understanding of hepatitis C and the development of a new drug or therapy by enrolling in one of Avail’s hepatitis C studies.