Hepatitis C

Q

What is hepatitis C?
How is it transmitted?
What illnesses does the virus cause?
What are the symptoms?
How long does it take for symptoms to occur?
How do I know if I have hepatitis C?
How long does it take for a blood test to detect the virus?
How is it treated?
Is there a vaccine?
Why screen donated blood for hepatitis C?


A

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. The hepatitis C virus can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver cancer.1

A

How is it transmitted?

Hepatitis C is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood, including through:1
  • Unscreened blood transfusions
  • Reuse of inadequately sterilized needles, syringes or other medical equipment
  • Needle-sharing among drug-users
Sexual and mother-to-child transmission may also occur, although less frequently. Hepatitis C can also be transmitted through procedures such as ear and body piercing and tattooing, if equipment is not sterilized.1

A

What illnesses does the virus cause?

The hepatitis C virus can cause lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver cancer.1

A

What are the symptoms?

A person with hepatitis C infection may or may not have symptoms. Symptoms occur in only about 20 percent of patients. Symptoms may include:2
  • Jaundice
  • Fatigue
  • Dark urine
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea

A

How long does it take for symptoms to occur?

The incubation period of hepatitis C infection before symptoms may appear ranges from 15 to 150 days.1 However, symptoms appear in only 20 percent of those infected.2

A

How do I know if I have hepatitis C?

There are several blood tests that test for hepatitis C infection, including:2
  • Anti-HCV (antibody to HCV)
  • Qualitative tests to detect presence or absence of virus (HCV RNA)
  • Quantitative tests to detect amount (titer) of virus (HCV RNA)

A

How long does it take for a blood test to detect the virus?

  • Anti-HCV tests:2 Anti-HCV can be found in 7 out of 10 people when symptoms begin and in about 9 out of 10 people within 3 months after symptoms begin. However, it is important to note that many people who have hepatitis C have no symptoms.
  • PCR-based tests:2 HCV can be detected within 1 to 2 weeks after being infected with the virus.

A

How is it treated?

Chronic hepatitis C in some patients can be treated with antiviral drugs. However, these drugs are expensive and are unavailable to most patients in developing countries. Patients with cirrhosis are sometimes given liver transplants, with varying success.1

A

Is there a vaccine?

No.

A

Why screen donated blood for hepatitis C?

Because the hepatitis C virus is transmitted by contact with blood, it can be transmitted through blood transfusions. Blood donors could be infected with hepatitis C without knowing it, because:
  • Hepatitis C does not have symptoms in 80 percent of patients2.
  • It can take from 15 to 150 days after exposure to the hepatitis C virus to experience symptoms2
Currently, HCV is rarely transmitted by blood transfusion in the US. In 1990, routine testing of donors for evidence of HCV infection was initiated, and in 1992, more sensitive, multi-antigen testing was implemented, reducing further the risk for infection. The current risk of acquiring HCV after a transfusion in the US. is one per two million transfused unit of blood.2

 

References

  1. World Health Organization - Hepatitis C page. Accessed Aug. 5, 2005.
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website - Viral hepatitis C page. Accessed Aug. 5, 2005.