Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus enters the liver cells and uses the cell's inner genetic machinery to make copies of itself, which then infect more cells. In about 15% to 25% of cases, hepatitis C infection is acute, meaning it is cleared spontaneously by the body and there are no long-term consequences1. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases (75% to 85%), the infection becomes chronic and slowly damages the liver over many years. Over time, this liver damage can lead to cirrhosis (or scarring) of the liver, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer.
In the United States alone, hepatitis C affects about 4.1 million people2, making it much more common than HIV infection. In fact, hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the United States.
Hepatitis C Transmission
Hepatitis C is spread through exposure to HCV-infected blood--this may occur through IV drug use, a transfusion with HCV-infected blood before 1992, contaminated hemodialysis equipment, high-risk sexual behavior, needlestick injuries, contaminated tattooing or body piercing equipment, and in other ways. If you think you or someone you know might be at risk for hepatitis C, find out about Getting Tested for Hep C.
Hepatitis C Symptoms
80% of people with acute hepatitis C infection usually do not have any apparent disease symptoms.3 Jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes from a buildup of bilirubin in blood and tissue, may not appear initially, until the condition becomes chronic.4 When symptoms do appear, they may be vague and may include fatigue, stomach pain, and rash. Many people do not know they have hepatitis C and may be infecting others because HCV infection often has no symptoms. The only way to know whether you have hepatitis C is to get a blood test specifically for hepatitis C.
1National
Institutes of Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse. NIDA
community drug alert bulletin. Available at
http://www.nida.nih.gov/HepatitisAlert/HepatitisAlert.html.
Accessed November 16, 2007.
2Armstrong, G. L., Wasley, A., Simard, E.P., et
al. The Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the United States, 1999
through 2002. Annals of Internal Medicine. 16 May,
2006. 144: 705-714. Available at: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/144/10/705
Accessed January 14, 2009.
3Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Viral hepatitis C fact sheet. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/fact.htm.
Accessed November 16, 2007.
4National Digestive Diseases Information
Clearinghouse (NDDIC). Chronic Hepatitis C: Current Disease
Management. Available at: http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/chronichepc/.
Accessed January 8, 2009.
