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Hepatitis C (HCV)

Hepatitis C (HCV) - Hep C

Hepatitis C (HCV) is quickly outstripping Hepatitis B as the most common form of chronic hepatitis in the world.

Hepatitis C, unlike other forms of hepatitis, leads to chronic infection in over 80% of cases and chronic liver disease in over 70% of infected people.

Hepatitis C is transmitted by blood or other body fluids. Hep C appears to be particularly hardy and can be transmitted indirectly, for example, a razor or a toothbrush may contain minute, but infective quantities of the virus.

Transmission of Hep C is often as a result of drug use, and may account for over 50% of cases; from 'shooting up' using shared needles, or surprisingly, through the sharing of cocaine-snorting straws via the transfer of blood from tiny hemorrhages caused by snorting the drug.

Poor hygiene practices at acupuncturists, tattoo or body / ear-piercing establishments have all contributed to the spread of the virus.

Transmission of hepatitis C through sexual contact is rare, though there is strong evidence that sexual contact is one mode of transmission. Therefore, barrier contraception (using condoms) is to be encouraged.

Although hepatitis C was suspected to exist, it was only as late as 1989 that a reliable blood test was developed and therefore anyone who received a blood transfusion prior to 1993 may have contracted the virus. The rate of infection via blood transfusion during this period is estimated to be around 10%.

Groups who remain at risk of contracting the virus are those whose occupation or lifestyle brings them into regular contact with the blood or body fluids of infected people.

Hepatitis C Symptoms

It should be noted that 80% of people who become infected with hepatitis C (hep C) will show no symptoms until the later stages of chronic liver disease have developed, which may take many years.

Symptoms of hepatitis C may include any or all of the following:

• fatigue
• abdominal pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• dark urine
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eye)

Hepatitis C (HCV) Treatment

There is no vaccination available for hepatitis C.

Treatment for chronic hepatitis C is currently interferon and ribavirin.