Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and is transmitted exclusively through blood-to-blood contact. It can present as either acute or chronic forms. Acute cases often show no symptoms or mild symptoms that may resolve within weeks after exposure. Chronic hepatitis C symptoms may develop gradually over months or years and can lead to serious complications if left untreated.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 58 million people worldwide live with chronic hepatitis C. In the United States, hepatitis C is among the most common types of hepatitis, along with hepatitis A and B. While vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B, there is currently no vaccine available for hepatitis C.
Without treatment, hepatitis C can lead to serious health problems, including liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. However, early diagnosis and treatment significantly improve the chances of a cure and reduce the risk of severe symptoms and liver failure.
For more information on hepatitis C symptoms, complications, treatment options, and prevention strategies, continue reading.
Table of Contents
- What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
- How is hepatitis C transmitted?
- Is hepatitis C curable?
- How is hepatitis C treated?
- How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
- Hepatitis C symptoms in men
- Possible complications of hepatitis C
- Preventing hepatitis C
- Outlook
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
Not everyone infected with hepatitis C shows symptoms. About 80% of people don’t experience any signs of illness when first infected.
Symptoms, when present, vary depending on whether the infection is acute or chronic.
Acute hepatitis C:
Acute infections typically occur within 6 months of exposure, with symptoms appearing 2 to 12 weeks after exposure. Common symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Persistent fatigue
- Joint pain
- Nausea or abdominal discomfort
- Loss of appetite
- Dark urine
- Gray or pale stools
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Acute cases are often mild and may resolve within weeks. Sometimes the body can clear the infection without treatment. Importantly, people without symptoms can still spread the virus.
Chronic hepatitis C:
If the hepatitis C virus remains in the body, acute infection can become chronic. Between 55% and 85% of people infected develop chronic hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis C doesn’t go away on its own. Without treatment, symptoms can worsen and may lead to severe liver damage or liver cancer. Symptoms may include:
- Persistent fatigue
- General malaise
- Joint and muscle pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Mood changes like depression or anxiety
- Difficulty concentrating or memory problems
Symptoms may come and go in severity. People with chronic hepatitis C may also show signs of liver scarring and liver disease, including:
- Indigestion, bloating, and abdominal pain
- Swelling in the feet and legs
- Itchy skin
- Jaundice
- Dark urine
- Sleep problems
- Confusion
- Memory and concentration issues
Like acute hepatitis C, chronic infection may not always cause clear symptoms.
If you notice any of these symptoms and think you’ve been exposed, get tested promptly.
How is hepatitis C transmitted?
Hepatitis C spreads mainly through blood-to-blood contact. This means you can get the virus if your blood comes into contact with blood from someone who has hepatitis C. Transmission can happen through:
- Organ transplants
- Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes
- Sharing needles (for example, for drug use)
- Childbirth (from an infected mother to baby)
- Sexual contact, especially if blood is exchanged
- Getting tattoos or piercings with unsterile equipment
Note that if you’ve had hepatitis C before, you can get it again.
Before 1992, blood transfusions were a major risk for hepatitis C. Today, better blood screening has greatly reduced this risk.
Certain factors increase your risk of getting hepatitis C, including:
- Receiving a blood transfusion before 1992
- Having an organ transplant before 1992
- Receiving clotting factor concentrates or other blood products before 1987
- Long-term hemodialysis treatment
- Being born to a mother with hepatitis C
- Having a sexual partner with hepatitis C
- Using nonsterile needles, such as for drug use
Hepatitis C isn’t spread through casual contact. You can’t get it from:
- Hugging, kissing, or touching
- Breastfeeding
- Sharing food and drinks
- Coughing and sneezing
Is hepatitis C curable?
Yes, hepatitis C is curable with proper treatment. Advances in medicine have led to highly effective antiviral drugs called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) that can cure hepatitis C in most cases. These drugs target the hepatitis C virus directly, stopping it from multiplying and letting the immune system clear the infection.
The main goal of treatment is sustained virologic response (SVR), meaning no detectable virus in the blood 12 weeks after treatment ends. SVR shows the infection is effectively gone, lowering the risk of liver damage and long-term problems.
Key points about hepatitis C treatment:
- High Cure Rates: DAAs have transformed hepatitis C treatment, with cure rates over 95% in most cases. These drugs are usually taken by mouth once daily for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on factors like the virus type and liver damage.
- Fewer Side Effects: Compared to older treatments, DAAs usually cause milder side effects like tiredness, headaches, or nausea that go away after treatment.
- Genotype-Specific Treatment: Hepatitis C viruses have different types (genotypes). Treatment may vary based on the virus type, with some drugs working better against certain genotypes.
- Liver Damage Screening: Before treatment, doctors check liver damage with blood tests, imaging, or special scans. Treatment decisions depend on how much liver scarring (fibrosis or cirrhosis) is present.
- Preventing Reinfection: While treatment cures the infection, it’s important to avoid behaviors that could expose you to the virus again, like sharing needles or having unprotected sex.
- Access to Treatment: Despite effective treatments, many people worldwide can’t get them due to cost, healthcare systems, or stigma. Improving access is key to eliminating hepatitis C globally.
Overall, hepatitis C is curable with early diagnosis and proper treatment. Finding it early, getting effective drugs, and good care are vital to reducing hepatitis C’s impact and preventing liver problems.
How is hepatitis C treated?
Hepatitis C treatment usually involves antiviral drugs to eliminate the virus and prevent liver damage. The main goal is sustained virologic response (SVR), meaning the virus is gone from the blood. Here’s what treatment involves:
- Antiviral Medications: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are the main treatment. They target proteins the virus needs to multiply. DAAs are very effective, with cure rates over 95%. They’re taken by mouth once daily for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the virus type and liver damage.
- Genotype-Specific Treatment: Hepatitis C viruses have different types (genotypes). Treatment depends on the virus type. Some DAAs work against multiple genotypes, while others target specific ones. Testing shows which genotype is present.
- Combination Therapy: Sometimes two or more antiviral drugs are used together to boost effectiveness and reduce drug resistance. Different DAAs may be combined for better results.
- Liver Damage Assessment: Before treatment, doctors check liver damage with blood tests, imaging, or special scans. This helps decide how urgently treatment is needed, especially for people with advanced scarring (cirrhosis).
- Monitoring During Treatment: Patients have regular check-ups to see how treatment is working and watch for side effects. Blood tests measure virus levels and liver function. Most side effects are mild, like tiredness, headaches, nausea, or trouble sleeping.
- Preventing Reinfection: After cure (SVR), avoid behaviors that could expose you to the virus again, like sharing needles or having unprotected sex.
- Lifestyle Changes: Along with treatment, healthy habits support liver health. Eat well, avoid alcohol and harmful medications, exercise regularly, and manage conditions like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
Hepatitis C treatment has improved greatly in recent years, with high cure rates and better outcomes. Early diagnosis, access to treatment, and good care are key to managing hepatitis C and preventing long-term liver damage.
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