Hepatitis C, a viral infection, primarily impacts the liver. Hepatitis C arises from the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and, without treatment, can progress to liver inflammation, damage, and failure. In India, hepatitis C is a significant health concern, with an estimated 12 million people living with the disease.

What is Hepatitis C?

Contact with an infected individual’s blood is the primary mode of Hepatitis C transmission. This may happen through sharing needles or other drug-injection equipment, receiving a blood transfusion before 2002, or undergoing an organ transplant before routine HCV screening was introduced. Hepatitis C can also spread through unprotected sexual contact with an infected person or from mother to child during childbirth.

Symptoms 

Symptoms of hepatitis C can vary widely and may not appear for years after infection. Some individuals may develop mild flu-like symptoms, including fatigue, fever, and body aches. Others may not have any symptoms at all. If left untreated, hepatitis C may damage the liver and cause serious symptoms such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), abdominal pain, and swelling in the legs and abdomen.

Early Warning Signs

Early warning signs of hepatitis C can be subtle and may not appear for years after infection. However, some people may experience mild symptoms, such as fatigue, fever, and body aches. Others may notice changes in their skin or eyes, such as yellowing or itching. If you suspect you may have been exposed to hepatitis C, you must speak with your healthcare provider and get tested.

Anyone can be infected with hepatitis C, but some groups are more at risk than others. Those at greater risk are people who use injectable drugs, patients who underwent blood transfusions or organ transplants before HCV testing became standard, and healthcare workers exposed to contaminated blood. People with HIV or a weakened immune system are also at an increased risk of contracting hepatitis C.

Types 

There are two types of hepatitis C: 

Acute Hepatitis C 

HCV infection may cause only a mild illness with few or no symptoms in some people, while in others it can progress to a severe condition requiring hospitalization.

Most people who get hepatitis C are able to clear the virus within the first 6 months after infection without treatment. 

Chronic Hepatitis C 

Hepatitis C often progresses into a long-term, chronic infection. If not treated, it can cause severe liver damage and raise the chances of cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer. In severe cases, a transplant may be the only option, and the condition can become life-threatening.

Risk Factors 

Screening for Hepatitis C 

It is very important to screen people at high risk of exposure. This includes:

• If you have ever injected, snorted, or inhaled an illegal drug.
• If you have atypical liver test results in which the cause wasn’t found.
• Babies are born to mothers who have hepatitis C.
• Pregnant people
• Healthcare workers who have had contact with infected blood or experienced a needle-stick injury.
• People with haemophilia who were treated with clotting factors before 1987.
• People who have had long-term haemodialysis.
• People who received donated blood or organ transplants before 1992.
• Sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C.
• People with HIV infection.
• Men who have sex with men.
• Anyone who has been in prison.

Complications 

If a Hepatitis C infection continues over many years, it can cause serious complications, such as:

• Scarring of the liver, called cirrhosis – Hepatitis C infection can cause liver scarring over many years, and this damage makes it difficult for the liver to function properly.
• Liver cancer – Only a minority of individuals with hepatitis C develop liver cancer.
• Liver failure – A lot of scarring can cause the liver to stop working.

Diagnosis and Treatment 

While hepatitis C is a severe disease, it is curable with proper treatment. Antiviral medications can effectively clear the virus from the body in most cases, and early treatment can prevent liver damage and other complications. People at high risk for hepatitis C, such as those who inject drugs or have had a blood transfusion before 2002, should be screened for the disease.

Hepatitis C is most often identified through a blood test that checks for the virus’s antibodies. A second test is usually done to confirm the diagnosis if the test is positive. Doctors may order additional tests to measure liver damage and decide on the most suitable treatment plan.

This condition can have severe complications if left untreated. The virus can sometimes lead to liver damage, liver failure, or cancer. However, with early detection and proper treatment, most people with hepatitis C can lead healthy, productive lives.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) causes hepatitis B, which spreads through contact with infected blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex or needle sharing. Hepatitis C is an infection caused by HCV and is primarily passed on through blood-to-blood exposure.

Hepatitis B and C share some symptoms, though their severity and presentation can vary widely. For example, both can cause fatigue, fever, and abdominal pain, but hepatitis B may also cause a rash or joint pain. Treatment for both diseases typically involves antiviral medications, but the specific drugs used may vary depending on the type of virus and the severity of the infection.

If hepatitis C is detected, your doctor will work with you to decide on the most effective treatment. Treatment typically involves antiviral medications that can help clear the virus from the body. The duration of treatment can range from several months to longer, based on the severity of the infection and the extent of liver damage.

Along with taking medication, protecting your liver and supporting overall health are essential. This may include avoiding alcohol and certain medicines that can harm the liver, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

It’s also important to talk to your healthcare provider about any other medical tests that may be recommended. For example, people with hepatitis C may need regular monitoring to check for liver damage or other complications. Your healthcare provider may also recommend additional testing to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that may cause liver damage and other complications if not treated. However, with early detection and proper treatment, most people with hepatitis C can be cured. If you suspect you may have been exposed to hepatitis C, you must speak with your healthcare provider and get tested. Proper care and management make it possible to live a healthy, productive life with hepatitis C.

Prevention

To protect yourself from hepatitis C infection:

• Stop using illegal drugs – If you are a user of illegal drugs, seek help.
• Be careful about body piercing and tattooing – If you are going in for piercing or tattooing, look for a hygienic shop. Check if the equipment is cleaned and ensure that the needles used are sterile.
• Practice safer sex – It is important to have sex with protection with any partner whose health status you do not know. Ideally, have sex with only one partner. Getting hepatitis C through sex with a known and regular partner is low.

Who to consult for Hepatitis C?

If you suspect you have hepatitis C or would like to consult a doctor about it, it is recommended to visit a healthcare professional specialising in infectious diseases or a hepatologist (a liver specialist).

Frequently Asked Questions