Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that leads to liver inflammation. Over time, it can result in serious conditions like cirrhosis, liver cancer or even liver failure, which may be life-threatening.

While some people experience only a short-term (acute) illness, about 70% develop a long-term (chronic) infection.

Symptoms are flu-like and may include fever, fatigue, body aches, joint pain, and loss of appetite. Some individuals may also experience jaundice or clay-colored stools.

Chronic hepatitis C often has no symptoms for years until liver damage occurs.

• Symptoms may include:
  • Easy bleeding and bruising
  • Loss of appetite
  • Yellowing of the skin (jaundice), which may be more noticeable in White individuals, or yellowing of the whites of the eyes in people of all skin tones
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Itchy skin
  • Fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) or swelling in the legs
  • Weight loss and fatigue
  • Confusion, drowsiness, and slurred speech (hepatic encephalopathy)
  • Spiderlike blood vessels on the skin (spider angiomas)
• Hepatitis C can lead to:
  • Cirrhosis: Scarring of the liver that can take decades to develop and makes it harder for the liver to function.
  • Liver cancer: A small percentage of individuals with chronic hepatitis C develop liver cancer.
  • Liver failure: Extensive scarring can cause the liver to stop working.

Hepatitis C spreads when blood infected with HCV enters the bloodstream of someone who isn’t infected.

People who:

• Use drugs
• Are living with HIV
• Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992
• Received blood clotting factors for hemophilia before 1987
• Were born between 1945 and 1965
• Were born to a mother with Hepatitis C at the time of birth

Direct-acting antiviral medications can be costly, but most government and private health insurance plans cover them.

Medicaid no longer requires sobriety to access Hepatitis C treatment, allowing active drug users to receive care. However, some private physicians may still require sobriety, which may make finding treatment more challenging.

Sexual transmission is rare unless blood is present during intercourse, such as through rough sex or a blood fetish.

Diagnosis involves two steps:

• Testing for anti-HCV antibodies with a blood test at a doctor’s office or point-of-care.
• If positive, a nucleic acid test confirms active HCV infection and determines the need for treatment. Around 30% of individuals clear the virus naturally, though they will still test positive for antibodies.
• Innovative new tests, such as HCV core antigen, are not yet in use but will enable a one-step diagnosis of active hepatitis C infection in the future.

Yes, Hepatitis C can be cured with medication.

• 9 out of 10 people treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are cured.
• Treatment typically lasts 8-12 weeks and involves oral medications like sofosbuvir or daclatasvir.
• While there is no vaccine, antiviral medications are effective in treating the virus.

About 30% of people naturally clear the virus within six months without treatment. The remaining 70% develop chronic infection, with 15-30% at risk of cirrhosis within 20 years.

Yes, reinfection is possible after treatment. Preventing reinfection involves following recommended prevention strategies.

Balanced meals can support liver health. Certain foods and drinks are beneficial, while others should be avoided.

Hep C Helpers:

• Fruits and Vegetables: Rich in fiber and nutrients
• Whole Grains: Help stabilize blood sugar
• Lean Proteins: Fish, skinless poultry, and nonfat dairy
• Coffee: Associated with better treatment response

Hep C Enemies:

• Alcohol: Speeds up liver damage
• Raw Fish: May cause infections that worsen Hepatitis C
• Liver: High in iron, which can harm the liver
• Salt: Can lead to fluid retention
• Tylenol: Can stress the liver—ask your doctor about safe alternatives

Avoid exposure to the virus. Prevention methods include:

• Using safe injection equipment
• Proper handling and disposal of needles and medical waste
• Accessing harm-reduction services like needle exchange and safer use kits
• Practicing safe sex with barrier methods such as condoms