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The Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is a nasty little virus. All virus’s are nasty but this one would qualify for a 10 most wanted list or should I say, a 10 most NOT wanted list.
HCV is its code name. Its real name is Ribonucleic Acid (RNA), a virus belonging to the Flaviviridae (fla-vi-vir-i-dae) family.
The Flaviviridae’s are a family of viruses that are generally spread through disease transmitting organisms such as mosquitoes, ticks, lice, and biting flies.
There are three subgroups of Flaviviridae viruses:
Flavivirus, which contains 67 human and animal viruses such as Yellow fever virus, West Nile virus and Dengue Fever. Hepacivirus, which contains only the Hepatitis C virus. Pestivirus, which has viruses infecting non-human mammals such as Bovine virus diarrhea and classical swine fever (also known as hog cholera.
Adding to its nastiness, the HCV is also a master of disguise. In many situations, our immune system is able to spot a problem and then create a solution to the problem so we are not adversely affected by the problem for a prolonged period of time.
The RNA virus has a high mutation rate because it lacks a thing called DNA polymerases. A DNA polymerases' job is to find and fix mistakes in genetic material.
The high mutation rate of the RNA virus keeps our immune system confused rendering it less effective in fighting off (creating a solution for) the virus.
By the time our immune system creates a solution for the RNA virus it sees, the RNA virus changes its look (fake nose and mustache) and our immune system has to start creating the solution set all over again.
The RNA virus accounts for most of the hepatitis cases previously diagnosed as non-A, non-B hepatitis.
The RNA virus mutation rate makes it very difficult to develop an effective vaccine. Do you have a personal experience to share relating to the Hepatitis C virus?You can help improve the content of this site by sharing your personal experiences. Doing so will help hundreds, if not thousands, of people living with Hepatitis C.
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