Hepatitis C

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a contagious disease that attacks the liver, and is the result of infection with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The severity of symptoms for Hepatitis C ranges from a mild illness that may only last several weeks (referred to as “Acute” Hepatitis C infection), to a permanent condition (referred to as a “Chronic” Hepatitis C infection.

What are the statistics?

Based on data released by the CDC (US Center for Disease Control), there were an estimated 19,000 new Hepatitis C virus infections reported in 2006. However, it is important to note that the reported number of Hepatitis C cases is estimated to be much lower than the actual number of infections. This is because many people who are infected with Hepatitis C never display physical symptoms of the infection and; therefore, their infection never comes to the attention of the CDC. Statistics for both “Chronic” and “Acute” Hepatitis C infection are as follows:

• Acute Hepatitis C: Approximately 75%-85% of those infected with Acute Hepatitis C will develop a chronic infection.
• Chronic Hepatitis C: The CDC estimates that about 3.2 million people in the US have chronic hepatitis C virus infection. It is important to note that this is an estimate, as many people who are infected with Hepatitis C do not experience symptoms, and are therefore unaware of their infection.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C?

Symptoms of acute hepatitis C, if they appear, can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea / Vomiting
• Vomiting
• Pain of the stomach / abdomen
• Dark urine
• Clay-colored bowel movements
• Joint pain
• Jaundice (yellowish color in the skin and/or the eyes)

How soon do Hepatitis C symptoms appear after infection?

If symptoms do occur, they will normally manifest about 6-7 weeks after infection. However, it is important to note that it is possible for symptoms to appear anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months after exposure to Hepatitis C.

How is Hepatitis C transmitted?

Hepatitis C is transmitted when the blood of an infected person enters the body of someone who is not infected with Hepatitis C. Although it is possible to contract and transmit Hepatitis C through sexual activity, most infections are a result of sharing needles or other paraphernalia used for the injection of drugs. The most common methods of Hepatitis C transmission are:

• Sharing paraphernalia used to inject drugs, such as needles and syringes
• Being stuck with an infected needle when in a healthcare setting
• Passing infection from a mother to her baby during child birth

There are also several less common methods of Hepatitis C transmission:

• The sharing of personal care items with someone who is infected. These items can include razors or toothbrushes (items that come into contact with the blood of an infected individual).
• Sexual activity with an infected individual

What are ways Hepatitis C is not spread?

Hepatitis C is not spread through normal, daily interaction. For instance, Hepatitis C cannot be transmitted from person to person through: the sharing of eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing.

Can you get Hepatitis C from sexual contact?

Yes, it is possible to transmit Hepatitis C during sex. However, the perceived risk of transmission during sexual activities is believed to be quite low. It is important to note that those at higher risk of contracting Hepatitis C through sexual activity are those individuals who engage in sexual activity with multiple partners, have another STD or STI (including HIV), and/or engage in very rough sex.

Can you get Hepatitis C from a tattoo or a piercing?

If an unregulated tattoo parlor employs poor infection control procedures during tattooing or body piercing, it may be possible to contract Hepatitis C. However, research has not shown that tattoo parlors which are regulated and follow correct procedures, to aid in transmission of Hepatitis C.

Who is at increased risk for Hepatitis C?

The high risk category of people for Hepatitis C infection includes:

• Current drug users that inject drugs into their blood (based on CDC information, this is thought to be the most common way Hepatitis C transmission in the US)
• Previous drug users that injected drugs into their blood (regardless of the amount of times they injected, or how long ago they used intravenous drugs)
• Individuals who have received donated blood and organs. However, it is important to note that this is no longer a common form of transmission (even since screening for Hepatitis C became available in 1992)
• Individuals who have received a blood product for clotting problems (this product would need to have been made before 1987)
• Individuals who have Hemodialysis, or those people who have spent many years on dialysis because of kidney failure
• Those who have gotten body piercing or tattoos with non-sterile instruments (normally in an unregulated setting)
• People who are known to have been exposed to the Hepatitis C virus (i.e., healthcare workers who have been stuck by infected needles)
• Those individuals infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)
• Children who are born to mothers that are infected with Hepatitis C

The following are situations that can put you at risk for Hepatitis C, although they are low-risk scenarios:

• Sexual contact (including vaginal, oral and anal intercourse) with an infected individual
• Sharing of items used for personal care, such as razors or toothbrushes, that may have come in contact with the blood of an infected person.

Can Hepatitis C be passed through pregnancy?

Yes, although this type of transmission is believed to be quite rare. Statistically, about 4 of every 100 babies that are born from an infected mother will be given Hepatitis C at birth. The risk of infection during child birth increases drastically.

Can you spread Hepatitis C without having symptoms?

Yes. Many people that have Hepatitis C infection do not experience symptoms, and are still able to infect another individual.

Are there long term affects of Hepatitis C?

Yes. Hepatitis C can result in various long-term effects on an infected person’s body. Out of every 100 people infected with the virus, the following estimated amount will have the virus progress to more serious complications:

75-85 people will have Acute Hepatitis C progress to Chronic Hepatitis C.

Of those 75-80, 60-70 will go on to develop chronic liver disease.

Of those, 5-20 people will contract cirrhosis (normally happening over a span of 20-30 years).

Of those, 1-5 people will die from either liver cancer or cirrhosis

Can Hepatitis C go away on its own?

Yes, approximately 15%-25% of those infected with Hepatitis C will clear the virus without any medical treatment. The reason as to why certain individuals are able to clear the virus without medical attention is currently not fully understood.

Who should be tested for Hepatitis C?

According to CDC guidelines, the following types of individuals are considered high-risk and should be screened for Hepatitis C infection:

• You currently, or used to, inject drugs intravenously
• You were treated for blood clotting before 1987
• You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
• You are on long-term treatment for hemodialysis
• You have liver disease or an abnormal liver test
• You work within the healthcare industry, in a setting that has exposed you directly to infected blood (i.e., being stuck by an infected needle)
• You are infected with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS)

Should you be tested for Hepatitis C when pregnant?

Hepatitis C is not a routine part of prenatal care. However, anyone that is at risk for Hepatitis C (especially pregnant women that fall within the high-risk category) should be screened for infection.

How do you test for Hepatitis C?

The Hepatitis C test normally consists of a blood test that looks for antibodies that have been developed by the body to stave off Hepatitis C infection. At getSTDtested.com, we use a Hepatitis C Antibody Test Reflex to HCV RIBA test, which is the earliest indicator of infection.  This test conducts a screening test first to determine if you may have Hepatitis C and when indicated it automatically switches to the relfex test to confirm whether or not you are infected.

Is there a vaccine for Hepatitis C?

Not yet. There are currently vaccines are available only for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B.