Hepatitis C

You have heard about it on the radio and television and from health professionals. There is no doubt about the seriousness and concern. It is hepatitis C. Below are frequently asked questions about hepatitis C and a risk assessment questionnaire to help inform you. Please remember that there is no substitute for a medical opinion from your doctor!

Who gets hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C commonly occurs in people who have shared needles to inject drugs and in people who received a blood transfusion before 1992. People who are HIV positive may be at risk because of common risk factors for HCV and HIV.

How is hepatitis C virus spread?

Like hepatitis B, hepatitis C is spread by direct exposure to blood from an infected person, such as through sharing injection drug equipment. The risk of sexual transmission appears to be small. There is no evidence that the hepatitis C virus can be transmitted by casual contact, through foods or by coughing or sneezing. Transmission from mother to child appears to be uncommon.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Most people have no symptoms and don't feel sick until their liver disease is advanced, which can be 20 to 30 years after infection. However, some people experience appetite loss, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, vague stomach pain, and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes).

How soon after infection do symptoms occur?

Symptoms may occur from two weeks to six months after exposure but usually within two months. Because many people infected with hepatitis C do not feel sick, it is recommended that everyone who is at risk get tested. Everyone who has hepatitis C should seek medical care even if they don't have symptoms.

When and for how long is a person able to spread hepatitis C?

Some people carry the virus in their bloodstream and may remain contagious for years. The disease may be followed by complete recovery or it may become chronic and cause symptoms for years.

How is hepatitis C diagnosed?

Hepatitis C is diagnosed by a positive blood test for hepatitis C antibody. Testing is readily available and recommended for anyone at risk for infection.

What is the treatment for hepatitis C?

There are no special medicines or antibiotics that can be used to treat people with the acute form of hepatitis C. However, the FDA has approved a drug called recombinant alpha-interferon for treating people with chronic hepatitis C.

Is donated blood tested for the virus?

Since May 1990, blood donation centers throughout the United States have routinely used a blood donor screening test for hepatitis C. Widespread use of this test has significantly reduced the number of post-transfusion hepatitis C cases.

What are the possible consequences of hepatitis C?

Only one out of four of the people infected with hepatitis C virus will become sick with jaundice or other symptoms of hepatitis. 75% to 85% of all people infected may go on to develop chronic liver disease. Up to 20% of those may develop cirrhosis (serious scarring of the liver), and some may eventually die.

Does hepatitis C have anything to do with HIV?

In New York, 78% of people with HIV who report injecting drug use are also infected with HCV. Both HIV and HCV can be transmitted by blood-to-blood contact, and HCV is 10 times more infectious than HIV through contact such at sharing needles used for injecting drugs. People infected with both HIV and HCV can progress faster to cirrhosis and more liver damage than people who are infected with only hepatitis C, and it appears that HCV may accelerate HIV disease, although this is still being studied.

How can hepatitis C be prevented?

People who have had hepatitis C should be aware that their blood and possibly other body fluids are potentially infectious. Therefore, infected persons should avoid sharing toothbrushes, razors, needles, etc. In addition, infected people must not donate blood and should inform their dental or medical care providers so that proper precautions can be followed. The risk of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus has not been thoroughly investigated but appears to be minimal. Several studies suggest that spread seldom occurs from people with chronic hepatitis C disease to their steady sexual partners. Therefore, limitations on sexual activity with steady partners may not be needed. However, people with acute illness and multiple sexual partners may be at greater risk and should use condoms to reduce the risk of acquiring or transmitting the hepatitis C virus, as well as other sexually transmitted infections.

Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?

New York City residents: For more information on hepatitis C, call 311. For people residing outside of New York City, please contact your state or local health department.

If you would like to check your risk of Hepatitis C, please answer the questions below. Please note this should not be used as a substitute for diagnosis by a doctor.

If you check yes to any of the questions you are at risk and should see your doctor.

		Yes	No
1.	Did you receive a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant (heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney) before July 1992?
2.	Did you receive clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987?
3.	Have you ever received hemodialysis?
4.	Have you had blood tests that showed a liver problem?
5.	Have you had a needlestick injury working in a health care setting?
6.	Did your mother have hepatitis C when you were born?
7.	Have you shared a toothbrush, razor, or any other item that might have blood on it (visible or not) with a person who has hepatitis C?
8.	Have you or any of your sex partner(s) injected illegal drugs, even if it was only one time many years ago?