Hepatitis C

GLOSSARY OF TERMS



A

Anemia

The condition of having less than the normal number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood.

Antiviral

Having the potential to kill a virus.


C

Chronic Hepatitis

A hepatitis virus that last for 6 months or longer- without symptoms.


D

Depression

A mental condition that last an extended period of time (weeks to months), can be indicated by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and discouragement, as well as difficulty concentrating and inactivity.

Diagnosis

The identification of a disease by its signs, symptoms, and/or laboratory tests.


F

Fatigue

Feelings of being very tired or having low energy despite getting enough sleep.

Flu-like Symptom

Mild or moderate fever, chills, headaches, and muscle aches.


G

Genotype

A specific genetic variation of the hepatitis C virus- usually denoted or classified genotypes 1-6.


H

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver sometimes accompanied by jaundice, enlarged liver, fatigue, and nausea. Most commonly caused by a virus that attacks the liver (viral hepatitis).

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

A virus spread through contact with human blood. It is usually chronic (the most serious form of hepatitis). There is no vaccination.


I

Inflammation

An immune response indicated by redness, heat, pain, and swelling.

Injection

Forcing a liquid into a body part, such as using a needle, to put medications or nutrients into the body. There are three basic types: 1) intramuscular, into a muscle; 2) intravenous, into a vein; and 3) subcutaneous, under the skin.


L

Liver

The largest internal organ of the body, about the size of a football, that neutralizes poisons, makes important body chemicals, and does many other "jobs" to maintain health.

Log drop

Mathematically each log drop represents a 9/10ths reduction - or 90% reduction - in viral counts (For example: 2 log drop of 1,500,000(copies of virus) IU/Ml = 15,000(copies of virus) IU/mL).


N

Nausea

Feeling sick to the stomach with an inclination to vomit.

Null Responder

A null responder is someone who achieves little or no decrease in hepatitis C viral load during HCV treatment. Null responders are highly unlikely to respond to re-treatment with an interferon-based regimen.


P

Protein

Substance made naturally by the body that necessary for growth, function, reproduction, and repair of living tissue.


R

Red Blood Cells

A mature blood cell that contains hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the bodily tissues.

Relapser

Retreatment of non-responder or relapser chronic hepatitis C patients with interferon plus ribavirin vs. interferon alone.


S

Side Effects

Unwanted or uncomfortable effects on your body or emotions caused by medication or a treatment.

Stress

To add physical or emotional pressure or strain; can cause an emotional or physical reaction.

Sustained Viral Response (SVR)

When there is no detectable hepatitis C virus present in the blood sample 6 months after completion of therapy.

Symptom

A warning sign or signal.


T

Treatment

Medical action taken to control or manage illness or disease.


V

Viral

Pertaining to a virus.

Viral Load

The amount of hepatitis C virus in your blood.

Virus

Tiny infectious particles that cause disease in humans, animals, or plants by invading cells and changing their chemistry in order to make more viruses. Viruses cannot be treated with antibiotics.


W

White Blood Cells

An important group of cells making up the body's immune system. They can leave the bloodstream to seek out and destroy "invaders" such as viruses, poisons, bacteria and tumor cells.