Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which inflames the liver. Your liver is a vital organ that processes toxins, stores nutrients, and helps your body digest food. When the liver is inflamed or damaged due to the virus, it can’t function properly.

There are different types of hepatitis viruses (A, B, C, D, and E), but hepatitis C is particularly concerning because it often becomes chronic, meaning it stays in the body for a long time. If left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause long-term liver damage.

Hepatitis C is spread through blood-to-blood contact. The most common ways include:

Hepatitis C is not spread by casual contact like hugging, kissing, or sharing food or drinks. It also isn’t sexually transmitted in most cases.

One of the challenges with hepatitis C is that for some people, symptoms may appear within 2 to 12 weeks after exposure, while for others, it can take years.

When symptoms do appear, they may include:

Testing for hepatitis C is relatively simple. A healthcare provider will usually start with a blood test to check for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. If antibodies are present, it means the person has been exposed to the virus at some point.

To confirm whether the virus is currently active, a second test (called an HCV RNA test) will measure the amount of virus in the blood. This helps determine whether the infection is ongoing and whether treatment is needed.

The good news is that hepatitis C is now considered a curable disease for most people. New antiviral medications, called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), have revolutionized treatment. These drugs work by attacking the virus directly and preventing it from reproducing.

Treatment length: Most people will need DAAs for 8 to 12 weeks.

Success rate: Cure rates with DAAs are very high—over 95% of people who complete treatment are cured.

Side effects: DAAs generally have fewer side effects than older treatments. Some people may experience fatigue, headache, or nausea, but these side effects are usually mild.

Because hepatitis C can cause long-term liver damage, it’s important to treat it as early as possible to avoid complications like cirrhosis or liver cancer. 

There’s currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself from infection:

If you’re diagnosed with hepatitis C, the first step is to work with your healthcare provider to create a treatment plan. With today’s treatment options, most people can be cured and go on to live healthy, normal lives.

While undergoing treatment, it’s essential to avoid alcohol, which can worsen liver damage. Eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and getting regular exercise can also support liver health.

If you’ve had hepatitis C for a long time and developed liver damage, your doctor may monitor your liver function and recommend regular screenings for liver cancer. Even after being cured of hepatitis C, it’s important to stay proactive about your liver health.