Which microbe causes Hepatitis C?

• This is a liver disease caused by Hepatitis C virus. Remember that at least two other viruses, Hepatitis A and B also cause liver disease and will be addressed elsewhere. These are all contagious diseases.

 

How is the Hepatitis C virus transmitted?

  Hepatitis C can be transmitted through the blood and bodily fluids (e.g., semen,      saliva, vaginal fluid). Below are some typical ways to be infected by the virus.

 

• Sharing needles used to inject drugs 

• Being stuck with a contaminated needle or sharp instrument (less common). 

• Having sex with someone who is infected (less common).

• Getting kidney dialysis or organ transplantation from infected blood (less common). 

• From an infected pregnant mother to her baby (less common).

 

What are the symptoms of acute Hepatitis C?

     -The symptoms may appear between 2 weeks to 6 months after you are infected           and include:

• Fever

• Feeling tired

• Stomach pain

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Loss of appetite

• Joint pain

• Dark urine

• Jaundice (Yellowing of the whites of the eyes and the skin, 

  Note. Jaundice of the skin is difficult to see if you a have a dark skin

 

What are the symptoms of severe chronic Hepatitis C?

• Chronic Hepatitis C is a long-term infection unless it is treated

• Chronic Hepatitis C will occur in more than 50% of infected people

 

• About 5% to 25% of people with chronic Hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis

• About 1%-4% of people with cirrhosis will develop liver cancer.

 

Are there treatments for Hepatitis C?

• Yes, consult your physician to find out if they are available and appropriate for you. 

 

How to prevent Hepatitis C?

• There is no hepatitis C vaccine currently available.

 

Some of this information comes from the US CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/resources/professionals/pdfs/abctable.pdf