What to Know About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C, also called hep C, is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Worldwide, almost 60 million people have Hepatitis C, with 1.5 million new infections occurring each year. It is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. When caught early, treatments can cure most cases in eight to 12 weeks. For others, the virus develops into a long-term, chronic infection. Treatment for chronic hepatitis C can allow a person to live a long, healthy life. When undiagnosed and untreated, hepatitis C can be life threatening.
The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus. Most infections occur through exposure to blood from unsafe injection practices, injection drug use, unsafe tattoos and piercings, in utero transmission from mother to fetus and sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood. Because there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, the best way to prevent it is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs. The following people are at increased risk for hepatitis C:
- All adults age 18 and over
- People with HIV
- People who ever injected drugs and shared needles, syringes, or other drug preparation equipment, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago
- People who have received maintenance hemodialysis
- People who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987
- People who received a transfusion of blood or blood components before July 1992
- People who received an organ transplant before July 1992
- People notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection
- Health care, emergency medical and public safety personnel after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood
- Children born to mothers with HCV infection
A blood test called an HCV antibody test is used to find out if someone has ever been infected with the hepatitis C virus. The Centers for Disease Control recommends that all adults, pregnant women and especially people with the risk factors listed above should be tested.
Hepatitis C is treatable. It is treated using direct acting antiviral (DAA) tablets to clear the virus from the body. The goal is to have no hepatitis C virus found for at least 12 weeks after treatment ends. The choice of medicines and length of treatment depend on the hepatitis C genotype, whether the liver is damaged, other medical conditions and earlier treatments. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health problems including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer and even death. People can live without symptoms or feeling sick, so testing is the only way to know if you have it. Talk with your primary care provider about being tested.
Brendan Conboy, M.D., is a board-certified gynecologist practicing at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena. Dr. Conboy has a special interest in treating both women and men with hepatitis C.
