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About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis means "inflammation of the liver". It causes destruction of liver cells, (hepatocytes), due to a specific viral agent. Hepatitis viruses target, attack and kill liver cells.

Transmission of hepatitis C (HCV) is caused from blood to blood contact. The most common routes of transmission include:

• IDU and intranasal drug use
• Long-term hemodialysis
• Blood transfusions prior to July 1992
• Infants born to infected mothers (perinatal)
• Tattoos and body piercing
• Healthcare workers and first responders who are exposed to infected blood
• Household transmission from common items like shared razor blades, toothbrushes and other personal hygiene items that have been used by an infected individual

HCV is not spread by kissing, hugging, sneezing, coughing, food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses or casual contact. Individuals who are living with hepatitis C should not be excluded from work, school, play, child-care or other settings.

Most people infected with HCV have no symptoms for 20 to 30 years after infection. When symptoms do start to occur they may include the following:

• Extreme fatigue
• Upper right torso pain and pressure
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Fever
• Insomnia
• Dark urine
• Jaundice

There is no vaccination available to prevent the spread of hepatitis C today.

The length of treatment can range anywhere from 24 to 48 weeks or possibly longer.

Current treatment for hepatitis C consists of two medications:

• Pegylated interferon sub Q injections which are taken once per week.
• Ribavirin capsules which are taken twice daily.

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