Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C (hep C) is a common liver infection that many people don’t know they have. Learn how you can prevent getting hep C.
What is Hep C?
Hep C is a contagious infection of the liver caused by a virus. In some people, the virus can pose serious health risks, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Hep C can be cured with readily available and well-tolerated treatment.
How is Hep C spread?
Hep C is transmitted through contact with blood. Most people become infected through sharing needles, syringes, and/or other injection equipment used for drugs, hormones, or steroids. You can also get hep C from sharing personal items like toothbrushes and razors that have come into contact with the virus.
Hep C may also be passed through sexual contact, such as anal sex and fisting. Although this is a less common way to transmit the virus, it happens more often among men who have sex with men. Other factors that may increase the risk of getting hep C include having HIV or other STIs, engaging in rough sex, and having sex with multiple partners.
You cannot get hep C from casual contact like hugging, coughing, sneezing, or sharing eating utensils.
What are the symptoms of hep C?
People who just got hep C may feel mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. People who do develop symptoms usually do so within three months. Common symptoms include:
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin
Even if a person with hep C doesn’t feel sick or show symptoms, they can pass the virus to others.
For some people, the hep C virus may go away on its own. But for most people, the virus will not go away without treatment, and can lead to liver disease or other serious conditions.
Most people who have had hep C for a long time don’t have symptoms. If they do have symptoms, they are usually mild and might be mistaken for something else. That’s why getting tested for hep C is so important.
People with hep C should get vaccinated for hep A and hep B, too. People with hep C should also get tested for HIV because people infected with both hep C and HIV are more likely to develop liver disease.
When should I get tested for hep C?
All adults 18+ should be tested for hep C at least once in their lifetime. Pregnant people should also be tested for hep C during pregnancy. People who are living with HIV or people who inject drugs should be tested regularly (at least annually).
How do I get tested for hep C?
A simple blood test, called an antibody test, can tell you whether you have ever been infected with the hep C virus. Once you have been infected, you’ll always have hep C antibodies in your blood, even if the virus goes away on its own, or if you were previously treated.
If you test positive for hep C, a second test called an RNA test (sometimes called a PCR test) is needed to see if you still have an active infection. Not all laboratories perform this second test automatically, so it’s important to ask your health care provider to perform this second test if needed.
If the results of both the antibody test and the RNA are positive, it means you have an active hep C infection.
Talk to your health care provider about testing for hep C. Don’t have a trusted health care provider? Find a health care provider near you.
What is the treatment for hep C?
Hep C treatment is recommended for anyone with the infection. By taking one pill a day, medications can cure more than 90% of hep C infections in eight to 12 weeks when taken as prescribed.
When hep C goes away—either on its own or through treatment—the virus can no longer be passed from person to person. But curing the virus will not make someone immune to it. If that person comes in contact with hep C again, they can become re-infected.
How do I prevent getting hep C?
Unlike hep A and hep B, there is no vaccine for hep C.
If you use or inject drugs, steroids, or hormones, make sure to use new needles, syringes, and/or other drug injection equipment (including cookers, cotton, etc.) each time.
If you plan to have anal sex, use condoms and plenty of lube to prevent getting or passing the virus, as well as other STIs. Also try to avoid repetitive bottoming during anal sex or fisting, which can cause bleeding. If you’re into group sex, make sure to use protection every time, with every sex partner.
Planning on getting a tattoo, body piercing, or acupuncture? Be sure you’re dealing with a reputable artist or provider who uses new ink vials and properly sterilizes their instruments.
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Find low- to no-cost sexual health services near you, like PrEP, STI testing, and more on the Service Locator Map.
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