Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus, which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease.

How do you get it?

Risk of infection is higher if you:

have sex with someone infected

your mother was infected at the time of your birth

have ever injected illegal drugs

were treated for clotting problems with blood before 1987

live the in the same house with someone infected

received blood from a donor who tested positive

received blood or an organ before July 1992

have symptoms of liver disease

were on long-term kidney dialysis and shared equipment

Hepatitis C is not spread by sneezing, hugging, coughing, food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, or casual contact.

Symptoms

80% of infected people have no symptoms. Symptoms might include jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, or nausea.

Complications

75-80% may develop long-term infection. 70% may develop chronic liver disease. 15% may develop scarring over a 20 to 30 year period and less than 3% may die from other complications caused by the virus, such as liver cancer, or cirrhosis. Hepatitis C is the leading indication for liver transplants.

Treatment

There are medications available to treat long-term infection. Treatment with the drugs interferon and ribavirin together gives the best results.

Resources: Heritage House '76, Inc.