Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an inflammation of the liver, transferred chiefly through the blood. It is more difficult to cure than Hepatitis A or B. The condition can often persist for years and is associated with chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes an inflammation of the liver. The hepatitis C virus is transferred primarily through blood, and is more persistent than the hepatitis A or B virus.

The hepatitis C virus can be spread in the following ways:

By sharing drug-injecting equipment (needles, heating spoons, etc).
By using non-sterilized equipment for tattooing, acupuncture or body piercing.
Through the exposure to blood during unprotected sex with an infected person. Blood may be present because of genital sores, cuts or through menstruation. But sexual transmission is an uncommon way of becoming infected with hepatitis C.
It can be transferred from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth (this is rare).
Through blood transfusion.
By sharing equipment used to snort cocaine.
Hepatitis C cannot be passed on by hugging, sneezing, coughing, sharing food or water, sharing cutlery, or through casual contact.

Many people do not have symptoms when they become infected with hepatitis C. Symptoms may emerge later, taking anywhere between 15 and 150 days to develop. Symptoms may include: A short, mild, flu-like illness; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; weight loss; jaundice and/or itchy skin.

About 20% of individuals who become infected with HCV will clear the virus from their body within 6 months, though this does not mean they are immune from future infection with HCV. The other 80% of people will develop chronic hepatitis C infection, during which the virus may cause mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. These people will however carry the hepatitis C virus for the rest of their lives and will remain infectious to others.

If a person lives with the hepatitis C infection for a number of years then they may develop the following complications: chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.

If symptoms become severe, then a person with hepatitis C may be admitted to hospital for monitoring and treatment.

Tests for the hepatitis C virus have only been available since 1989. A doctor can diagnose hepatitis C by carrying out blood tests that detect HCV antibodies in the blood. The first test searches for HCV antibodies in the patient’s blood. A positive result shows that the person has been exposed to the hepatitis C virus and their immune system has responded by producing antibodies. This may mean that the patient is a carrier of the hepatitis C virus. The patient may have recently cleared an HCV infection and still have antibodies in their blood. Further tests will be conducted to find out whether the patient has a current infection. If the patient has successfully cleared the virus, this does not mean they are immune to re-infection.

To determine the extent to which the liver has been affected by hepatitis C, other tests may be carried out. These include liver function tests, which measure specific proteins and enzymes in the patient’s blood, showing how effectively the liver is working. A liver biopsy may also be carried out. In this procedure, a fine hollow needle is passed through the skin into the liver and a small sample is taken. The sample is then examined under a microscope to gauge the amount of liver damage.

Treatment combines the antiviral drugs interferon and ribavirin. Although treatment has improved in recent years, the success rates vary depending on which genotype the patient has and how long they have had hepatitis C.

A patient will also require regular check-ups to monitor their progress. It is important to remember that if HCV treatment is effective and the infection is cleared, this does not mean the patient has future immunity to hepatitis C.

Currently, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but research is in progress. Injecting drug users should never share any needles, syringes or mixing spoons, as blood can be transferred between users. People should avoid sharing toothbrushes, shaving equipment (especially razors), or anything else that may be contaminated with infected blood.

Created by vickiz

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