Glossary
A
Abdomen: the part of the body that lies between the thorax (upper part of the body below the neck) and the pelvis
Acetaminophen: a fever reducer and pain reliever
Acupuncture: process by which needles are inserted into specific areas of the body to produce loss of sensation in another area
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): an enzyme that is normally found in the liver cells and in the blood; an increase in ALT levels may indicate liver damage
Albumin: a protein manufactured by the liver
Asymptomatic: without symptoms, even though the condition (such as hepatitis C infection) is present
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B
Bile: the yellowish-brown or green fluid secreted by the liver
Bilirubin: a yellow pigment that is excreted in the bile
Liver biopsy: a procedure in which a very small sample of tissue is removed from the liver and examined in a laboratory
Blood-borne: carried in the blood; the hepatitis C virus is found in the blood and can be transmitted by blood-to-blood contact
Blood transfusion: transfer of blood or part of the blood (such as red cells) from one person to another
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C
Chronic: lasting a long time
Cirrhosis: condition in which hardened scar tissue replaces normal liver tissue and impairs the ability of the liver to function
Clotting factor concentrates: blood products that contain large amounts of the substances in the blood that allow it to clot
Coinfection: condition in which a person is infected with both HIV and the hepatitis C virus
Combination therapy: involves the use of two or more drugs that work together
Complete blood count: a test that is used to help detect liver scarring
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D
Dialysis: a way of removing waste products from the blood and excess fluid from the body when the kidneys have failed
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E
Electrolysis: the removal of hair by destroying the hair roots with an electric current
Enzyme: a protein that acts to induce chemical changes in other substances, while it remains apparently unchanged by the process
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F
Fatigue: a state characterized by a lessened capacity for work and reduced efficiency of accomplishment, usually accompanied by a feeling of weariness, sleepiness, or irritability
Fibrosis: a buildup of scar tissue on the liver
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G
Gallbladder: a pear-shaped receptacle on the lower surface of the liver that acts as a storage reservoir for bile
Gastroenterologist: a doctor who specializes in issues related to the gastrointestinal system, including the intestines, stomach, liver, and other organs
General anesthetic: substance that causes loss of consciousness and loss of the ability to feel pain
Genotype: the genetic constitution of an individual (in this case, the hepatitis C virus).
Gland: an organized mass of cells that functions as an organ to secrete or excrete substances
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H
Hemodialysis: filtration of soluble substances and water from the blood by diffusion through a semipermeable membrane
Hemophilia: a condition in which a person’s blood does not clot
Hepatitis: Latin word meaning inflamed liver
Hepatitis A: inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is spread by contaminated food and water or in conditions of poor hygiene
Hepatitis B: inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus, which is transmitted through sexual or blood-to-blood contact
Hepatitis C: inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is spread through blood or blood products
Hepatologist: doctor who specializes in disorders of the liver
Histologic response: decrease in liver inflammation as a result of hepatitis C therapy
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I
Immune system: an intricate complex of interrelated cellular, molecular, and genetic components that defend the body against foreign organisms or substances and diseased native cells
Inflammation: swelling inside the body
Interferon: a substance that has been shown to help fight hepatitis C
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J
Jaundice: a yellowish staining of the skin and deeper tissues
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L
Liver: the largest gland in the body—located in the upper right side of the abdomen—which acts as a filter to remove toxins (harmful substances) and waste products from the blood
Liver failure: condition in which a large portion of the liver is damaged, causing severe problems with liver function
Liver function tests (LFTs): the most commonly used way to check for liver problems; these blood tests look for chemicals in the body that are produced when the liver does its various jobs
Liver ultrasound: a test that obtains images of the liver for medical diagnostic purposes
Local anesthetic: substance that causes loss of the ability to feel pain in a particular part or parts of the body but which does not cause loss of consciousness
Lymphocytes: a type of white blood cell
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M
Mental health professional: a medical specialist trained in treating conditions such as depression and anxiety
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P
Pegylation: process of attaching one or more chains of a substance called polyethylene glycol (also known as PEG) to a protein molecule such as interferon
Platelet: an irregularly shaped disk-like fragment of a larger cell that functions in clotting
Polyethylene glycol (PEG): a waxy solid that is biologically inert. Because the body does not react to PEG, it can help provide a protective barrier around a protein such as interferon so it can survive in the body longer
Primary care provider: a medical doctor (MD) or doctor of osteopathy (DO) with general training who sees a wide variety of patients; sometimes known as either an internist or a family practice physician
Prothrombin time: a test that measures the blood’s clotting ability
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R
Ribavirin: oral medication that is frequently added to pegylated interferon; when they are used together it is called combination therapy for hepatitis C
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S
Spleen: a large organ lying in the upper part of the abdominal cavity on the left side, between the stomach and diaphragm
Strain: smaller group of very similar viruses within the larger population of a particular virus (such as the A, B, and C strains of the hepatitis virus)
Successful treatment: undetectable virus in the blood six months after finishing treatment
Sustained virologic response: undetectable virus in the blood six months after finishing treatment
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T
Toxic: harmful to the body
Toxin: a substance that is harmful to the body
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U
Unsterilized: not cleaned in such a way as to make sure bacteria and viruses are not on the surface of the equipment (needle or medical instrument)
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V
Vaccine: a preparation (oral or injection) intended to prevent a disease from occurring
Virologic response: measured by using a blood test to see how much hepatitis C virus is in the blood (this is also known as your viral load)
Virus: a group of infectious agents that are incapable of growth or reproduction outside of living cells
Virus detection test: a test that looks for the presence of the hepatitis C virus in the blood or body tissue
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