STDs : What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a contagious disease that attacks the liver and is spread primarily through contact with the blood of an infected person. HCV can be either “acute” or “chronic.”

Chronic Hep C is a long-term illness that occurs when the virus remains in a person’s body. The Hep C virus infection can last a lifetime and lead to serious liver problems, including cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.

How is Hep C spread?

Hep C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hep C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hep C virus by sharing needles or other paraphernalia to inject drugs.

People can become infected with the Hep C virus during such activities as:

• Sharing needles, syringes or other paraphernalia to inject drugs
• Needle stick injuries in health care settings
• Being born to a mother who has Hep C

Though less common, a person can also get Hep C through:

• Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
• Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hep C virus

What are the symptoms of chronic Hep C?

Most people with chronic Hep C do not have any symptoms. However, if a person has been infected for many years, his or her liver may be damaged. In many cases, there are no symptoms of the disease until liver problems have developed. In persons without symptoms, Hep C is often detected during routine blood tests to measure liver function and liver enzyme (protein produced by the liver) levels.

Who should get tested for Hep C?

Talk to your doctor about being tested for Hep C if any of the following are true:

• You were born between 1945 and 1965.
• You are a current or former injection drug user, even if you injected only one time or many years ago.
• You were treated for a blood clotting problem before 1987.
• You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992.
• You are on long-term hemodialysis treatment.
• You have abnormal liver tests or liver disease.
• You work in health care or public safety and were exposed to blood through a needle stick or other sharp object injury.
• You are infected with HIV.

Can chronic Hep C be treated?

Yes. There are several medications available to treat chronic Hep C, including new treatments that appear to be more effective and have fewer side effects than previous options. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains a complete list of approved treatments for Hep C.

What is HIV and Hep C virus coinfection?

HIV and Hep C virus coinfection refers to being infected with both HIV and the Hep C virus. Coinfection is more common in persons who inject drugs. In fact, 50%–90% of HIV-infected persons who use injection drugs are also infected with the Hep C virus. To learn more about coinfection, read HIV and Viral Hepatitis

If you think you have been exposed to:
Hep C or HIV, please contact your primary care provider.

If you’re in San Diego County, please visit, www.gaymenshealth.org. Gay Men’s Health Services (GMHS) is a program sponsored by Family Health Centers of San Diego and is focused on providing quality support, education and advocacy for the overall health of gay men in San Diego County. GMHS also provides free and confidential HIV and STD testing. Please call (619) 876-4449 for more information about screening and treatment options available to you.

For additional facts on Hep C, please visit www.HepCFacts.org