Emergency liver transplant- a life-saving treatment for acute liver failure

 When a liver is damaged to an extent that it fails to perform its normal functions then surgeons and doctors suggests for liver transplantation wherein the diseased liver is replaced with healthy ones. Though, liver failure can usually be managed by medication for a short while but transplantation is the only cure when it comes to long term treatment. As dialysis machine acts as a life-support treatment for kidney failure, there is no such mechanical device for liver that can replicate the functions of the liver.

 There are two main reasons that lead to liver failure; choric liver failure and acute liver failure. Chronic liver failure is one when the liver fails as a result of damage over many months or years. While in acute liver failure an extensive damage to the liver occurs over a short period of time. The main causes of chronic liver failure include alcoholic liver disease, Hepatitis C, Primary Biliary Cirrhosis, Hepatitis B, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, Biliary Atresia, Autoimmune Hepatitis, Liver Cancer etc. 

However, acute liver failure is less common then chronic liver failure. But that is acute liver failure only which necessitates emergency liver transplant and is also largely associated with the high mortality rate. The most common indications for liver transplantation include hepatitis C virus (30%) and alcoholic liver disease (18%). However, other indications are Idiopathic/autoimmune liver disease (12%), Primary biliary cirrhosis (10%), Primary sclerosing cholangitis (8%), Acute liver failure (7%), Hepatitis B virus (6%), Metabolic liver disease (eg, inborn errors of metabolism) (3%), Cancer (3%), and Other (3%).

Reliable & affordable Hepatitis C treatment available in India

Hepatitis is a contagious liver disease that in can be explained as inflammation of liver. Infectious diseases such as viral infections cause this inflammation. Though, hepatitis can also be caused by the exposure of alcohol, chemicals, certain medications, poisons and other toxins. Also, hepatitis is a name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver. Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C are the most common types of hepatitis that may have similar symptoms but the mode of transmission of these three viruses can affect the liver differently.

Hepatitis C virus or HCV is a communicable liver disease that initiates from a mild illness lasting a few weeks and continuous to a serious, lifelong illness that attacks the liver. Primarily, HCV is spread by blood-to-blood contact of an infected person, poorly sterilized medical equipment, and transfusions. Besides, there are several other ways via which one might get infected with Hepatitis C like sharing razors, toothbrushes, through sexual transmission, tattooing or piercing, genetics connection etc. Hepatitis C can be either acute or chronic. HCV for a short period of time (say six months) but as per reports there are more people (approximately 75-85%) that are suffering with chronic stage of Hepatitis C. Hepatitis C virus infection can persist for a lifetime and can also cause crucial liver problems, including cirrhosis or liver cancer.

There are many health organizations, hospitals and health institutes that offer best ansd result-oriented Hepatitis C treatment in India. Transplant Liver India is one of such Delhi-based health center that has proven track record for successful treatment of Hepatitis C. People with acute hepatitis C infection get treated with medicine. If the blood tests and liver biopsy of a patient shows that an individual has a chronic infection but liver is not damaged then treatment is not required but treatment with medicine can fight the viral infection.