The last month in the project “Colors of Life” – 2021-1-PL01-ESC30-SOL-000036535 is October. The disease assigned to this month is hepatitis C and the main color is dark green. Hepatitis C is caused by the HCV virus that is present in six different genotypes, each divided into subtypes – the main difference between the subtypes and genotypes is their response to treatment. Infection with hepatitis C is spread parenterally by transfusion of blood and blood products, as well as by medical procedures performed with the use of non-sterile equipment, combined with the violation of the continuity of the body integuments. People particularly exposed to hepatitis C infection are:
- healthcare professionals,
- drug addicts who inject drugs (sharing needles promotes infection),
- people with blood transfusions,
- people who frequently change sexual partners (casual sex) – this applies to both homosexuals and heterosexuals,
- haemophiliac patients who require the administration of blood-derived clotting factors
- people who live under the same roof or have very close contact with someone infected with hepatitis C,
Hepatitis C can also be infected by transmission from mother to fetus during delivery.
