Definition

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver. It can cause serious liver damage if it is not treated.

Hepatitis Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus. The virus can be spread:

• Through contact with the blood of an infected person
• Through IV drug use
• To a baby during birth by a mother who has the infection

The hepatitis C virus is not spread through food or water.

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:

• Injecting illegal drugs, especially with shared needles
• Receiving a blood transfusion before 1992—this risk is low in the United States (current testing prevents this today)
• Receiving blood clotting products before 1987 (current testing prevents this today)
• Receiving an HCV-infected organ transplant
• Long-term kidney dialysis treatment
• Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, or other personal hygiene items that have HCV-infected blood on them
• Tattooing
• Body piercing
• Having sex with partners who have hepatitis C

Things that may raise the risk of this problem in healthcare workers are:

• Being accidentally stuck by an HCV-infected needle
• Frequent contact with HCV-infected people

Symptoms

Some people may not have symptoms. Others may have:

• No energy
• Lack of hunger
• Yellowing of the eyes and skin
• Darker colored urine
• Loose stools and light or chalky colored stools
• Belly pain
• Itching
• Rash
• Joint pain
• Nausea and vomiting

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. This may be enough to suspect the diagnosis.

Blood tests will be done to confirm hepatitis by looking for:

• Signs of the virus
• Antibodies—signs that the immune system is fighting an infection
• Changes in liver function

The diagnosis may may be made as part of a routine screening test during a regular exam.

Treatment

In some people, the infection may go away on its own. If the infection does not pass, the goal of treatment is to:

• Prevent further liver damage by not drinking alcohol, not smoking, and avoiding certain medicines like acetaminophen
• Cure the infection with antiviral medicine

Prevention

To lower the risk of this infection:

• Do not inject illegal drugs. Those who do should not share needles.
• Do not have sex with partners who have the hepatitis C infection.
• Practice safe sex. Use latex condoms.
• Limit sex partners.
• Do not share personal items that might have blood on them.