Why Are Chronic Kidney Disease and HCV Closely Related, and How to Get Rid of Them?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are closely related, and both conditions cause damage to the kidneys. CKD is a long-term condition that causes gradual loss of kidney function and can lead to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) if left untreated. HCV, on the other hand, affects the liver and causes inflammation in it that usually lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. However, they are both big concerns for kidney patients.

This article would brief you on the correlation between CKD and HCV infection, while sharing some tips to prevent HCV effectively, detect using HCV RNA test kit, and treat HCV properly.

CKD Patients Are Vulnerable to HCV Infection and Vice Versa

CKD is one of the main reasons for HCV infection. If you have CKD, you’re about 40% more likely to get hepatitis C than someone who does not have kidney disease [1]. Especially if you are on dialysis treatment, you are very vulnerable to HCV. Dialysis is the treatment of CKD by removing waste products from your blood through a machine that filters them out of your system. This method can increase the chance of contamination and lead to HCV infection.

On the other hand, hepatitis C can lead to glomerulonephritis, a type of kidney disease that causes inflammation of the glomeruli, the small, delicate filters in your kidneys. This condition often leads to CKD and kidney failure. Moreover, if you have HCV, there is a considerable risk of developing diabetes which levies additional health risks such as CKD.

Why Is It Hard to Detect HCV in CKD Patients?

In most cases, CKD patients with hepatitis C don’t experience any additional symptoms of HCV and may not know they have HCV and do not seek treatment. It often takes years for HCV symptoms to appear, so it’s not always easy to detect HCV in people with CKD.

In fact, many people in the USA have lived for about 25 – 45 years, unaware they have HCV. Also, studies show that about 55%-75% of people who get infected with HCV will go on to develop chronic infections and will have detectable HCV RNA in their blood [2].

Moreover, if symptoms of HCV occur, they can be similar to symptoms of CKD such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, which CKD patients fail to notice as HCV symptoms. This is why CKD patients should undergo regular blood tests or use an HCV RNA test kit to check for HCV and other serious illnesses.

The Ways to Prevent HCV

Avoid behaviors that can catch or spread the disease

HCV is a serious health condition, and a patient with one is at risk of developing CKD, which can result in organ failure and even death. So, it is best to avoid behavior that can spread the disease.

The virus spreads through blood and bodily fluids. You can get it by getting an infected needle or other medical equipment. So, avoid sharing needles or other equipment that has been used for injecting drugs, blood products, or transplant organs. Do not share toothbrushes, razors, or other personal items with anyone who has HCV. If possible, do not have sex with someone who has HCV.

Get tested as earlier as possible

Unfortunately, there is no vaccination for hepatitis C, but there are treatments available that can help people get rid of the virus and prevent further damage.

If you think you might have been exposed to the virus, get tested as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can help protect your health and prevent transmission to others. If your HCV RNA test is positive, ask your doctor about treatment options.

There are many HCV RNA test kits available to check for HCV, such as Sansure’s S3119E HCV Ultra – Hepatitis C Virus RNA Quantitative Fluorescence Diagnostic Kit. This hepatitis C test kit is a quantitative diagnostic kit for HCV RNA test. The HCV RNA test kit uses advanced magnetic beads technology to detect HCV-specific in vitro nucleic acids in human serum and plasma specimens. The highly accurate and sensitive quantitative PCR assay can be used for the detection of HCV genotypes 1-6, which has excellent specificity with a sensitivity of 12 IU/ml and has been approved by CE. Therefore, the HCV RNA test is designed and manufactured to comply with the highest quality standards.

Treated CKD properly and timely

Apart from early detection using HCV RNA test, treatment is another way to get rid of HCV. So, if you have CKD, it’s important to get treatment and manage your condition properly, as it can lead to HCV and other complications. It is recommended that you get tested for HCV if you have CKD, especially if you received a blood transfusion or organ transplant.

Conclusion

Sansure is a leading provider of in vitro diagnostic solutions and has been providing innovative clinic laboratory services for more than a decade. Their products are designed to provide high accuracy, reliability, and ease of use in the most demanding environments with innovation and caring in mind. In addition to offering HCV screening and HCV RNA tests reagents, Sansure provides more reliable medical detection instruments for its diagnosis and treatment, so as to contribute the detection and, eventually, elimination of HCV completely for all humanity.

References:

[1] Regina Boyle Wheeler. How Untreated Hepatitis C Can Affect Your Body?

[2] Michael Reid, Jennifer C. Price, and Phyllis C. Tien1, Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Older Patient.