Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It can remain unnoticed for years while slowly damaging the liver.

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It can remain unnoticed for years while slowly damaging the liver. If left untreated, it can lead to liver cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. However, with timely testing and effective treatment, Hepatitis C can now be cured in most cases.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Most people with Hepatitis C do not show symptoms in the early stages. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

  • Fatigue
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea
  • Joint pain
  • Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
  • Dark urine
  • Abdominal discomfort

Because symptoms are vague and often delayed, many individuals remain unaware of their infection for years, highlighting the importance of screening.

How Hepatitis C is Transmitted?

Hepatitis C is primarily spread through blood-to-blood contact. It is not spread by casual contact, hugging, or sharing food.

Common modes of transmission include:

  • Unsafe medical procedures or unsterilized equipment
  • Sharing needles or syringes
  • Blood transfusions before the early 1990s (before screening became widespread)
  • Sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes
  • Tattooing or piercing with unclean instruments
  • Rarely, it can be transmitted from mother to child during birth or through sexual contact, particularly if blood is involved

Types of Hepatitis C

Unlike Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C does not have distinct acute or chronic types based on how long you’ve had it. However, it can be classified by how the body responds:

1. Acute Hepatitis C

A short-term infection that occurs within the first six months after exposure. In a small number of cases, the body can clear the virus on its own.

2. Chronic Hepatitis C

When the virus remains in the body beyond six months. This occurs in most people who contract HCV and can lead to long-term liver complications.

Family Risk and Inheritance

Hepatitis C is not inherited genetically, but individuals with a family history of liver disease or previous infection should consider getting tested, especially before marriage or pregnancy.

Mother-to-child transmission is possible but less common than with Hepatitis B. Still, pregnant women should be screened, as early detection allows for careful management and timely treatment after childbirth.

Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Testing

Depending on where you live, you might be able to afford a Hepatitis C self-test or home test kit. Before testing yourself, make sure to read everything about Hepatitis and make an informed decision. If you test positive, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Sometimes, there are combo kits available that can test for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and other STDs using a single device. You can check those out for more comprehensive testing.

In all cases, stay strong! With medication, hepatitis C is curable. 

Hepatitis C is also diagnosed through blood tests that detect:

  • HCV antibodies (to check if you've ever been exposed)
  • HCV RNA (to confirm active infection)

If the virus is present, additional tests (like liver function tests or ultrasounds) help assess liver damage.

Routine screening is recommended for:

  • People with a history of blood transfusion before 1992
  • Those with a family history of HCV or liver disease
  • Healthcare workers
  • Individuals with risk exposure (e.g., injection drug use)
  • Pregnant women

Hepatitis C Treatment and Management

The good news is that Hepatitis C is now curable for most people with short-term oral medication regimens. Treatment duration typically ranges from 8 to 12 weeks and is highly effective across all genotypes.

Curing Hepatitis C not only clears the virus from the body but also significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and long-term complications.

Early diagnosis is key, as the longer the virus stays in the body, the greater the potential for liver scarring (cirrhosis) or cancer.

Why Pre-Marital and Pregnancy Screening Matters

Screening before marriage and during pregnancy is a proactive health measure that helps protect both partners and future generations.

1. Before marriage

If one partner is positive, the other can be tested and precautions can be taken. Treatment before planning a family can prevent complications later.

1. During pregnancy

Knowing a mother’s HCV status allows for special monitoring during and after childbirth. While direct transmission risk is low, awareness helps prevent further spread and ensures early care for both mother and child.

By normalizing conversations around Hepatitis C and promoting timely testing, we can reduce its impact on individuals, families, and entire communities.

Join the Fight Against Hepatitis C

Donate for Hepatitis C testing, counseling, treatment and awareness to protect women, children and migrants.

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