Understanding the Basic Facts about Hepatitis C

• What is hepatitis C?
• How is hepatitis C spread?
• How serious is hepatitis C?
• Preventing Bloodborne Diseases: What You Need To Know (PDF) | RTF

What is hepatitis C?  

Hepatitis means “inflammation of the liver.” Hepatitis C is a virus that can cause the liver to become inflamed.

At this time there are five hepatitis viruses known to affect the liver: A, B, C, D, and E. These viruses, which may cause similar symptoms, are very different. The hepatitis C virus is found in the blood and liver of persons who have the infection. While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

How is hepatitis C spread?

Hepatitis C is spread through blood and is the most common blood-borne infection in the U.S. In the past, many people were infected with hepatitis C through blood transfusions, clotting factors, or organ transplants. Before 1992, there was no test available for hepatitis C. As a result, donated blood could not be screened for the virus. This is why people who received blood products and/or an organ transplant before 1992 may be infected. Transfusions and transplants are not a source of hepatitis C now because the blood supply is screened for hepatitis C.

Today, hepatitis C is spread primarily through sharing needles and equipment (e.g. water, cotton, cookers/spoons and ties) used to inject illegal drugs. Anyone who has injected drugs, even once many years ago, should be tested.

Health care workers may be at risk for hepatitis C through needle-stick injuries. The virus can also be spread through items contaminated with blood, including unsanitary tattooing and piercing equipment, razors, manicure tools, and toothbrushes. Although hepatitis C can be spread through sex, sexual contact is much less likely to lead to infection than direct exposure to blood. Sometimes a pregnant woman can pass hepatitis C to her infant during childbirth.

The hepatitis C virus is not spread by casual contact like hugging, sneezing, coughing, or sharing food or drinks. It is also not spread by breastfeeding.

To prevent the spread of hepatitis C to others:

• If you are using drugs, ask your health care provider about drug treatment and needle exchange programs. It is important not to share any drug injection equipment. This includes not using a common syringe to measure drugs. Be sure to use sterile equipment or bleach your works.
• If you are in a sexual relationship, talk to your partner (and ask your health care provider) about whether he/she should be tested for hepatitis C. If you have multiple sex partners, use a condom or barrier method every time you have sex. Using condoms will help protect both you and your partners from many other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
  
• Do not share razors, toothbrushes, or other personal items that can be contaminated with blood.
  
• Do not expose others to your blood. Cover cuts and sores, and do not attempt to donate your blood.

Hepatitis C is not caused by or spread by drinking alcohol. But drinking alcohol may worsen damage to the liver once you already have hepatitis C infection.

How serious is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C infection can be very serious for some people but not others. Some people (15-25%) who have hepatitis C will clear the virus from their bodies within a few months of being infected, without treatment. But most people who are infected will carry the virus for the rest of their life (chronic infection).

The good news is that most people who have chronic hepatitis C infection feel well and remain healthy for many years, perhaps even decades. They may never have serious liver problems. Others will develop liver inflammation and/or scar tissue (fibrosis). A small number will go on to develop serious liver disease including cirrhosis (widespread scarring), liver cancer, and/or liver failure.

Although it is not clear who will develop serious liver disease, how you take care of your liver plays an important role in how slowly or quickly hepatitis C will progress. Moderate lifestyle changes and available treatment options are key to living long and living well with this illness. Drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, eating a poor diet, and having other diseases such as HIV may contribute to faster liver disease progression.