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Definition

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Hepatitis

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Causes

HCV is carried in the blood of people infected with the virus. It is most often spread through contact with infected blood, such as:

  • Injecting illicit drugs with shared needles
  • Receiving HCV-infected blood transfusions (before 1992) or blood clotting products (before 1987)
  • Receiving an HCV-infected organ transplant
  • Receiving long-term kidney dialysis]]> treatment (machine can be tainted with HCV-infected blood)
  • Sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, or other personal hygiene items that have HCV-infected blood on them
  • Being accidentally stuck by an HCV-infected needle—a concern for healthcare workers
  • Frequent contact with HCV-infected people—a concern for healthcare workers
  • Receiving a tattoo, body piercing, or acupuncture with unsterilized or improperly sterilized equipment

Hepatitis C can also spread through:

  • An HCV-infected mother to her baby at the time of birth
  • Sexual contact with someone infected with HCV
  • Sharing a straw or inhalation tube when inhaling drugs with someone infected by HCV
  • Receiving a blood transfusion

HCV cannot spread through:

  • The air
  • Unbroken skin
  • Casual social contact
  • Breastfeeding

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Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance of this infection:

  • Receiving a blood transfusion before 1992
  • Receiving blood clotting products before 1987
  • Long-term kidney dialysis treatment
  • Tattooing
  • Body piercing
  • Injecting illicit drugs, especially with shared needles
  • Having sex with partners who have hepatitis C or other sexually transmitted diseases

Symptoms

Eighty percent of people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. Over time, the disease can cause serious liver damage.

Symptoms may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice]]> (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
  • Darker colored urine
  • Light or chalky colored stools
  • Loose, light-colored stools
  • Abdominal pain
  • Aches and pains
  • Itching
  • ]]>Hives]]>
  • Joint pain
  • Cigarette smokers may suddenly dislike the taste of cigarettes
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting

Chronic hepatitis C infection may cause some of the above symptoms, as well as:

  • Weakness
  • Severe fatigue
  • Loss of appetite

Serious complications of hepatitis C infection include:

  • chronic infection that will lead to ]]>cirrhosis]]> (scarring) and progressive liver failure
  • Increased risk of ]]>liver cancer]]>

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Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will also discuss your risk factors.

Tests may include:

  • Blood tests—to look for hepatitis C antibodies or genetic material from the virus (antibodies are proteins that your body has made to fight the hepatitis C virus)
  • Liver function studies— to initially determine and follow how well your liver is functioning
  • Ultrasound]]> of the liver— to assess liver damage
  • Liver ]]>biopsy]]> —removal of a sample of liver tissue to be examined

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Treatment

Hepatitis C is usually treated with combined therapy, consisting of :

  • Interferon—given by injection
  • Ribavirin]]> —given orally

These medications can cause difficult side effects. They also have limited success rates.

In unsuccessful cases, chronic hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis (scarring) and serious liver damage. A liver transplant may be needed.

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Prevention

To prevent becoming infected with hepatitis C:

  • Do not inject illicit drugs. Shared needles have highest risk. Seek help to stop using drugs.]]>
  • Do not have sex with partners who have STDs.
  • Practice safe sex (using latex condoms) or abstain from sex.
  • Limit your number of sexual partners.
  • Avoid sharing personal hygiene products, such as toothbrushes.
  • Avoid handling items that may be contaminated by HCV-infected blood.
  • Donate your own blood before elective surgery to be used if you need a blood transfusion.

To prevent spreading hepatitis C to others if you are infected:

  • Tell your dentist and physician before receiving check-ups or treatment.
  • Get both a hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination.
  • Do not donate blood or organs for transplant.