Hepatitis C

What is hepatitis?

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. 

Hepatitis is most often caused by a virus. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. 

How is hepatitis spread?

The hepatitis C virus is usually spread when someone comes into contact with blood from an infected person. This can happen through:

Sharing drug-injection equipment – Today, most people become infected with hepatitis C by sharing needles, syringes, or any equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.

Birth – Approximately 6% of infants born to infected mothers will get hepatitis C.

Healthcare exposures – Although uncommon, people can become infected when healthcare professionals do not follow the proper steps needed to prevent the spread of bloodborne infections.

Sex with an infected person – While uncommon, hepatitis C can spread during sex, though it has been reported more often among men who have sex with men.

Unregulated tattoos or body piercings – Hepatitis C can spread when getting tattoos or body piercings in unlicensed facilities, informal settings, or with non-sterile instruments. 

Sharing personal items – People can get infected from sharing glucose monitors, razors, nail clippers, toothbrushes, and other items that may have come into contact with infected blood, even in amounts too small to see. 

Blood transfusions and organ transplants – Before widespread screening of the blood supply in 1992, hepatitis C was also spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. 

Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis-c

A blood test called a hepatitis C antibody test can tell if you have been infected with the hepatitis C virus – either recently or in the past. If you have a positive antibody test, another blood test is needed to tell if you are still infected or if you were infected in the past and cleared the virus on your own.

The CDC recommends you get tested if you:

• Are 18 years of age and older
• Are pregnant (get tested during each pregnancy)
• Currently inject drugs (get tested regularly)
• Have ever injected drugs, even if it was just once or many years ago
• Have HIV
• Have abnormal liver tests or liver disease
• Are on hemodialysis
• Received donated blood or organs before July 1992
• Received clotting factor concentrates before 1987
• Have been exposed to blood from a person who has hepatitis C
• Were born to a mother with hepatitis C