REPORTING
Hepatitis C
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Injection Drug Users:
High Risk |
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What is Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease caused by a virus. It can be either short-term--acute--or long-term--chronic.
- Acute hepatitis C occurs within the first six months after someone is exposed to the virus.
- Chronic hepatitis C occurs when the virus remains in a person's body. Hepatitis C infection can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis or liver cancer.
How do I catch it?
The hepatitis C virus spreads primarily through contact wih the blood of an infected person. Most people today become infected by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Here are other ways people can be infected with hepatitis C:
- Needlestick injuries in healthcare settings.
- Being born to a mother who has it.
- Sharing personal care items such as razors or toothbrushes that may have come in contact with another's person's blood.
- Having sexual contact with a person infected with it.
What are the symptoms of acute Hepatitis C?
Most people--70% to 80%--who have acute hepatitis C have no symptoms. Some people have mild to severe symptoms soon after being infected. Those symptoms include:
- fever
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- dark urine
- clay-colored stools
- joint pain
- jaundice--yellowish skin or eyes
When symptoms occur, they typically arrive six to seven weeks after exposure to the virus but can start anywhere from two weeks to six months after exposure.
How is chronic hepatitis C different?
Most people with chronic hepatitis C don't have symptoms. But infection that lasts for years may damage the liver. Hepatitis C infection is often detected from the liver problems it causes. Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems that include liver damage, liver failure, liver cancer or even death. It is the leading cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer and the most common reason for liver transplantation in the United States. About 8,000 to 10,000 people die every year from hepatitis C-related liver disease.
How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
Several different blood tests are used to test for hepatitis C.
Is there treatment for hepatitis C?
There is no medication at this time to treat acute hepatitis C. Doctors usually recommend rest, adequate nutrition and fluids.
People with chronic hepatitis C should work with a doctor who specializes in treating hepatitis. People with hepatitis C should be monitored regularly for signs of liver disease. The treatment is often a combination of two medicines, but the drugs don't work for all patients.
If I catch hepatitis C, do I have to live with it the rest of my life?
Hepatitis C exits the bodies of about 15% to 25% of the people it infects without treatment or the development of chronic infection. People with chronic hepatitis should avoid alcohol because it can cause additional liver damage. To protect their livers, they should check with a health professional before taking any prescription pills, supplements or over-the-counter medications.
If liver damage is present, the patient should check with a doctor about getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
Here are links to helpful information: