What is Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. It can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure, or liver cancer. Hepatitis C may go undetected for months or years because people with the infection may not have symptoms, or they may have only mild symptoms.

What are the causes?

This condition is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus can spread from person to person (is contagious) through:

• Blood.
• Childbirth. A woman who has hepatitis C can pass it to her baby during birth.
• Bodily fluids, such as breast milk, tears, semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva.
• Blood transfusions or organ transplants done in the United States before 1992.

What increases the risk?

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Having contact with unclean (contaminated) needles or syringes. This may result from:
  • Acupuncture.
  • Tattoing.
  • Body piercing.
  • Injecting drugs.
• Having unprotected sex with someone who is infected.
• Needing treatment to filter your blood (kidney dialysis).
• Having HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
• Working in a job that involves contact with blood or bodily fluids, such as health care.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Fatigue.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Abdominal pain.
• Dark yellow urine.
• Yellowish skin and eyes (jaundice).
• Itchy skin.
• Clay-colored bowel movements.
• Joint pain.
• Bleeding and bruising easily.
• Fluid building up in your stomach (ascites).

In some cases, you may not have any symptoms.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with:

• Blood tests.
• Other tests to check how well your liver is functioning. They may include:
  • Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). This imaging test uses MRIs and sound waves to measure liver stiffness.
  • Transient elastography. This imaging test uses ultrasounds to measure liver stiffness.
  • Liver biopsy. This test requires taking a small tissue sample from your liver to examine it under a microscope.

How is this treated?

Your health care provider may perform noninvasive tests or a liver biopsy to help decide the best course of treatment. Treatment may include:

• Antiviral medicines and other medicines.
• Follow-up treatments every 6–12 months for infections or other liver conditions.
• Receiving a donated liver (liver transplant).

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Take your antiviral medicine as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antiviral even if you start to feel better.
• Do not take any medicines unless approved by your health care provider, including over-the-counter medicines and birth control pills.

Activity

• Rest as needed.
• Do not have sex unless approved by your health care provider.
• Ask your health care provider when you may return to school or work.

Eating and drinking

• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lowfat (lean) meats or non-meat proteins (such as beans or tofu).
• Drink enough fluids to keep your urine clear or pale yellow.
• Do not drink alcohol.

General instructions

• Do not share toothbrushes, nail clippers, or razors.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Cover any cuts or open sores on your skin to prevent spreading the virus.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important. You may need follow-up visits every 6–12 months.

How is this prevented?

There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The only way to prevent the disease is to reduce the risk of exposure to the virus. Make sure you:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
• Do not share needles or syringes.
• Practice safe sex and use condoms.
• Avoid handling blood or bodily fluids without gloves or other protection.
• Avoid getting tattoos or piercings in shops or other locations that are not clean.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have a fever.
• You develop abdominal pain.
• You pass dark urine.
• You pass clay-colored stools.
• You develop joint pain.

Get help right away if:

• You have increasing fatigue or weakness.
• You lose your appetite.
• You cannot eat or drink without vomiting.
• You develop jaundice or your jaundice gets worse.
• You bruise or bleed easily.

Summary

• Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. It can lead to scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure, or liver cancer.
• The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes this condition. The virus can pass from person to person (is contagious).
• You should not take any medicines unless approved by your health care provider. This includes over-the-counter medicines and birth control pills.