Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs In Men) (cont.)
Hepatitis C
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is liver inflammation (hepatitis) that is
caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The HCV causes acute and chronic viral C
hepatitis. Unlike hepatitis B, however, hepatitis C is infrequently transmitted
sexually, so that it is an unusual STI. It is primarily spread by exposure to
infected blood, such as from sharing needles for drug use, piercing, tattooing,
and occasionally sharing nasal straws for cocaine use. Most infected people have no symptoms, so
a delayed or missed diagnosis is common. In contrast to hepatitis B, where
chronic infection is uncommon, the majority (75-85%) of people infected with
hepatitis C develop chronic (long-term) infection. However, as is the case with
hepatitis B, chronically infected individuals are infectious to others and are
at an increased risk of developing severe liver disease and its complications,
even if they have no symptoms.
How is hepatitis C infection diagnosed?
Hepatitis C infection is diagnosed by using a standard antibody test. The
antibody indicates an exposure to the virus at some time. Thus, the hepatitis C
antibody is found in the blood during acute hepatitis C, after recovery from the
acute hepatitis, and during chronic hepatitis C. Individuals with a positive
antibody test can then be tested for evidence of virus in the blood by a test
called the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which detects the genetic material
of the virus. The PCR test rarely is needed to diagnose acute hepatitis C, but
sometimes can be helpful to confirm the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C.
More details regarding hepatitis C and its treatment can
be found in the Hepatitis C
article.
Human Herpes Virus 8 (HHV-8)
What is human herpes virus 8?
Human herpes virus 8 is a virus first identified in the
1990s that has been associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and possibly with a type of
cancer called body cavity lymphoma (a tumor that arises from the lymph tissue).
Kaposi's sarcoma is an unusual skin tumor that is seen primarily in HIV-infected
men. Human herpes virus 8 has also been isolated in the semen of HIV infected
individuals. Because of these factors, the possibility has been raised that
Human herpes virus 8 is a sexually transmitted infection.
Several important issues related to the role of Human herpes virus 8 as a disease-causing agent
have not yet been fully determined, such as whether Human herpes virus 8 actually causes
disease, how it is transmitted, what diseases it might cause, and how to treat
these disease(s). Recent case reports have shown that in children and men who
have sex with men, a new (acute) infection with Human herpes virus 8 can lead to an illness
characterized by fever and rash, and/or to enlarged lymph nodes, fatigue, and
diarrhea.
Next: Ectoparasitic Infections »
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