Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. Infection of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic (persistent or long-term) blood borne infection in the United States. Most people infected will have no symptoms but will have mild to moderate damage done to their livers. Some people will fight off the virus, but more people will develop a chronic (persistent or long-term) infection. For those people, HCV can cause cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, liver failure, a need for a liver transplant, or even death.

Reporting

According to the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), in the United States there were 3.2 million people with chronic (persistent or long-term) infection of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 2006. It is estimated there are 19,000 new infections of HCV and that 8,000 to 10,000 people die from the damage HBV does to the liver. (source)
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Transmission

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is usually transmitted through direct contact with infected blood.

HBV can be transmitted by vaginal or anal sex if there is trauma (rough sex, abuse, or rape) that causes bleeding. Transmission can also occur if an infected woman has her period or if a person who is infected has sores on his or her genital area that can bleed.

Drug users who inject drugs can be infected by HCV if they share needles with others who have the virus. Living in the same house as a person who is infected and sharing items such as toothbrushes and razors can also, although not commonly, cause the virus to be transmitted. However, the virus can not be transmitted through casual contact like shaking hands or hugging.

Using non-sterilized needles for tattooing, body piercing, and acupuncture can cause transmission to occur.

Organ and blood donations can also cause transmission of the virus. In the United States, the risk of this occurring is very low because blood and organs are screened.

An infected woman who is pregnant can transmit HCV to her baby during birth. The method of birth (vaginal or caesarean) does not change the rate babies are infected by the virus.
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Symptoms

Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus will have no symptoms. The symptoms that people do experience will vary depending on the type of infection. Those types are an acute (newly acquired or short-term) infection and a chronic (persistent or long-term) infection.

Acute infections of HCV usually cause no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can be experienced as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes, darker urine and pale feces), nausea, or a general feeling of being unwell.

In chronic infections of HCV, most people will have mild to moderate damage done to their liver. Symptoms of this can include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes, darker urine and pale feces), fatigue, malaise, abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, or nausea.

People who develop cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) from chronic infections of HCV will have more severe symptoms. Besides the symptoms already mentioned, muscle weakness, weight loss, abdominal swelling, or fluid retention can be experienced.
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Testing / Diagnosis

Laboratory tests are used to diagnose an infection of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Testing is done on a blood sample. A health care provider can order the blood drawn and tested. For those too embarrassed to speak to a health care provider, being tested by an online confidential lab could be a good alternative. For more information about online labs, click here.

Testing for HCV can not show whether a person has an acute (newly acquired or short-term) or chronic (persistent or long-term) infection. Further testing may be ordered if the virus is found to check for any liver damage.
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Treatment

Treatment for hepatitis C is different for those who have an acute (newly acquired or short-term) infection and those who have a chronic (persistent or long-term) infection.

For those with an acute infection, there is no specific treatment. However, a treatment with interferon shortly after being infected may reduce the chances of the infection becoming chronic and causing damage to the liver. A health care provider should be consulted for any recommendations.

For those with a chronic infection, the drugs interferon, alpha interferon, pegylated interferon, or a combination therapy of ribavarin and interferon are available for treatment. A health care provider can recommend which of these treatment options is best and may know of any new therapies that are in clinical trials.

It is recommended that people with chronic infections protect their liver by getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. It is also recommended to see a health care provider routinely, avoid drinking alcohol, and consult a health care provider before taking over the counter or herbal medicines.
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Complications

Most people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) will have mild or moderate damage done to their livers. For some the damage will be more severe and could include cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver cancer, liver failure, a need for a liver transplant, or even death. The damage done to the liver (mild, moderate, or severe), can occur even if no symptoms are being experienced.
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Prevention

Abstaining from sexual contact can prevent the transmission of the hepatitis C. A mutual monogamous relationship with a trusted partner known to be tested and uninfected is another way.

Correctly using latex condoms during vaginal or anal sex can reduce the risk of transmission. However, it is important to remember if the sex was rough or done during a woman’s period, there could be infected blood on the condom. So hands should be washed immediately after handling and disposing of it.

Health care professionals who come in contact with or have to handle blood should follow standard precautions. Other people who come in contact with blood should try too as well, including wearing gloves.

Drug users should avoid sharing needles to prevent themselves from being infected.

In a household with a member who is infected, avoid sharing objects like toothbrushes and razors.
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