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.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

People who just got hep C may feel mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. If you’re older and have hep C, you may have been living with the infection for years but have no symptoms. 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 becomes an infection that 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 hep C and HIV are more likely to develop liver disease.

How is hepatitis C spread?

Hep C is transmitted through contact with blood. Today, most people become infected through sharing needles and syringes used to inject drugs, hormones, or steroids, or from other drug equipment. 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 STDs/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.

How do I prevent getting hepatitis 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 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 STDs/STIs. Also try to avoid repetitive bottoming during anal sex or fisting, which can cause bleeding. If you’re into chemsex (using drugs during sex) or 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.

Who should get tested for hep C?

All adults 18 and older should be tested for hep C at least once in their lifetime. Pregnant people should also be tested for hep C once per pregnancy. People who are living with HIV infection or inject drugs should be tested regularly. No matter your age, if you think you may have been exposed to hep C, ask your provider about testing.

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. Looking for a health care provider? Find a provider near you today.

Can hep C be treated?

Yes! hep C treatment is recommended for anyone with the infection. By taking one pill a day as part of self-care routine, 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.