Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center
Patient/Family Education Program
Education Service Line Columbia, South Carolina
Hepatitis C is a serious public health problem in the United States.
What is Hepatitis C?
How great is the risk for hepatitis C?
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
How can you find out if you have hepatitis C?
What if your test for hepatitis C is positive?
What do you do if you have Hepatitis C?
Between 36,000 and 230,000 get hepatitis C each year. Many become seriously ill and require hospitalization, and many die of liver failure.
Like other bloodborne diseases, hepatitis C can be prevented with proper precautions. In addition, a blood test is available for hepatitis screening. Read this information to learn what puts you at risk for hepatitis C, how you can protect yourself from this disease, how you can be tested, and what to do if you have hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease. The infection is spread by behaviors involving contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person and by blood transfusions.
About 40% of all persons who get hepatitis C do not know how they were infected with HCV. If you do not engage in any of the behaviors listed below, your risk for hepatitis C is probably low. However, if you are involved in any of these behaviors, your risk for hepatitis C could be very high.
You are at risk if you
You may be at risk if you
If you have hepatitis C, you may have:
Some persons who are infected with hepatitis C have no symptoms and can infect others without knowing it.
How serious is hepatitis C?
Each year in the United States, a small number of people die with liver failure shortly after getting hepatitis C. Persons who get hepatitis C may never fully recover and may carry the virus for the rest of their lives. More than half of these persons have some liver damage and may eventually develop cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure.
How is HCV spread?
HCV is spread primarily by exposure to human blood. A person may get hepatitis C by sharing needles to inject drugs or through exposure to human blood in the workplace.
HCV has been spread between sex partners.
HCV may be spread among household members, however the risk is low.
HCV cannot be spread by food and water.
A person who has had other types of viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A and hepatitis B, can still get hepatitis C
There is no evidence that HCV is spread by sneezing, coughing or other casual contact.
A blood test is available for hepatitis C screening. A test shows if a person has been infected with HCV, but it does not tell if the infection is old or recent. In addition, the test does not tell who is infectious and who has completely recovered and cannot pass the infection on to anyone else.
If you have a positive test result and have risk factors for hepatitis C or have signs of liver disease, you probably have been infected with HCV. However, if you have no signs of liver disease and do not engage in high-risk behavior, your hepatitis C positive result may be a "false positive". Your healthcare provider will determine if additional tests are necessary.
If you have hepatitis C
HCV may be spread by sexual contact with an infected person. To reduce the chances of spreading HCV by sexual contact, follow these "safer-sex" guidelines:
Site Topics
HCV Symptoms
You'll find links to a comprehensive symptoms list, as well as various studies and discussions about Hepatitis C symptoms.
Lab Tests
What they are and what they mean. Helps you interpret & understand all the various hepatitis lab tests likely to be encountered.
Hepatitis C Genotypes
Learn about Hepatitis C Genotypes and their variants.
Viral Load
Provides detailed information on how to analyze and interpret viral load numbers as well as a link to a convenient Viral Load Chart.
What is...?
Learn more about various Hepatitis C related topics, including HCV, Ascites, Biopsies, and much more.
HCV Medicines
Numerous links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of Ribavirin/Rebetron medicines.
Glossary
Commonly used medical terms and definitions.
Hepatitis C Doctors
A state-by-state and worldwide reference listing physicians who treat HCV, including an email link to submit your physician for inclusion.
Biopsy Info
A comprehensive resource of information relating to the liver biopsy.
Cirrhosis
Many discussions and analyses of cirrhosis, including causes, complications, pathology, symptoms, and much more.
Liver Cancer
Liver Cancer/Hepatocellular Carcinoma studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis.
Liver Disease Medicines
An exhaustive list of links to studies, info sheets, FAQs, and analysis of the various drugs used to treat liver disease.
Hep-Central Email List
Sign up to learn about advances and breakthroughs in Hepatitis C research, including information about medical and complementary treatments.
HCV Links
Convenient links to other sites external to Hepatitis-Central.
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HCV Transmission
Information about the transmission of Hepatitis C.
HCV Natural Remedies
A number of herbal products useful in the management of liver disease.
HCV Books
Recommended reading for those interested in hepatitis information.
Hepatitis C Forum
A Bulletin Board for discussions on hepatitis, treatments, etc.
Hepatitis C Activism
An easy way to get involved in urging our government to do more for Hepatitis C awareness and treatment research.
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Site Topics
HCV Symptoms, Lab Tests, Hepatitis C Genotypes, Glossary, Viral Load, What is...?, HCV Medicines, Hepatitis C Doctors, Biopsy Info, Cirrhosis, Liver Cancer, Liver Disease Medicines, Hep-Central Email List, HCV Links, Mother / Child Transmission, HCV Natural Remedies, HCV Books, Hepatitis C Forum, Hepatitis C Activism
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