What is the hepatitis C virus?
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a virus that causes inflammation in the liver and causes hepatitis C.
Although some individuals develop an acute infection and recover spontaneously from the hepatitis C virus, most progress to chronic hepatitis. In 20% of patients, chronic hepatitis C may lead to cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus that, when chronic, can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and cancer.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
Only 25 to 30% of those infected present, in an acute phase, symptoms of disease that can manifest themselves as follows:
- tiredness
- temporary or complete loss of sensation and movement
- nausea
- fever
- general malaise
- Concentration problems
- gastrointestinal complaints (such as loss of appetite)
- alcohol
- pain in the liver area
- yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) is the most specific symptom.
Often the symptoms are unclear and can be similar to those of the flu. The chronic carrier of the hepatitis C virus may not have any symptoms, feel healthy and yet be developing a cirrhosis or a liver cancer.
How is the hepatitis C virus transmitted?
The hepatitis C virus is mainly transmitted through the blood. It is transmitted through contact with infected blood, usually from sharp and piercing objects. All it takes is a small amount of contaminated blood to transmit the virus, for example through a cut, wound or needle sharing.
Sexual transmission is rare, but it can occur, especially if there are lesions of the genital mucous membranes.
The virus does not spread in social life, or in the sharing of dishes and other objects. Although the virus has already been detected in saliva, transmission through kissing is unlikely unless there are sores in the mouth.
What is the incubation period of hepatitis C virus?
The hepatitis C virus has an incubation period (the time between when a person is infected and when the first symptoms appear) that can vary between 40 and 70 days.
Is there a risk of transmission of the hepatitis C virus between mother and child?
The risk of a mother transmitting HCV to her child during pregnancy is around 6%. It is not yet known whether the infection occurs during pregnancy or in the peripartum period. Most doctors consider breastfeeding to be safe, since, in theory, the virus could only be transmitted if two situations were combined: sores on the mother's nipples and cuts in the child's mouth.
Sometimes antibodies are detected in the children of carrier mothers, which does not mean that the child is infected. Normally, the antibodies disappear after 12 or 18 months, so only after that period should tests be done to understand if the baby has in fact been infected.
How can I prevent hepatitis C?
There is no vaccine against hepatitis C. Prevention of infection involves avoiding, above all, contact with infected blood. Like this:
- Do not share toothbrushes, blades, scissors or other personal items
- Do not share syringes and other instruments used in the preparation and consumption of injectable and inhalable drugs
- Disinfect any wounds that may occur and cover them with dressings and bandages
- Use condoms during sexual intercourse, especially when there are multiple partners
- If you want to get piercings or tattoos, make sure that the place where you are going to get them done guarantees the necessary sanitary measures
How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
The diagnosis of hepatitis C involves testing for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus. In addition to blood tests, blood tests can also be done radiological tests to the liver, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging.
I may have been exposed to the virus. What should I do?
Get tested for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus, which is done through a blood test.
Where can I get tested for hepatitis C virus?
You can get tested for the hepatitis C virus:
- at your health centre, through a rapid test or with a doctor's request
- in a non-governmental organisation or community-based organisation
- in a pharmacy or a clinical pathology/analysis laboratory
What does a reactive result mean?
An antibody test with a reactive result means that antibodies to the hepatitis C virus have been found. However, the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus does not necessarily mean that the virus remains in the body. Antibodies to the hepatitis C virus can only be traced back to old, cured hepatitis, so more specific tests are needed to assess whether the infection is active.
Referral to a hospital visit will allow you to confirm or not the existence of active hepatitis C and, if so, define the treatment to be prescribed.
What does a non-reactive result mean?
If the result is non-reactive, it means that no antibodies to the hepatitis C virus have been found in the blood. This way, you are not infected.
What are the main complications of hepatitis C?
When the disease progresses from acute to chronic hepatitis and the immune system is no longer able to shed the virus, patients may develop:
- cirrhosis
- liver cancer
- hepatic insufficiency
Along with the increased risk of developing these diseases, the risk of death from non-hepatic causes also increases, mainly due to acute myocardial infarction.
What is the treatment for hepatitis C?
All people with hepatitis C have treatments available in the National Health Service that guarantee a cure of more than 95%.
Treatment is aimed at cure and is tailored to the stage of the disease and may include:
- taking medication for a period determined by the doctor
- liver transplantation in more severe cases
Can I get hepatitis C more than once?
yes. Curing an infection does not protect you from reinfection, so it is important to take preventive measures in your daily life.
Source: Directorate-General for Health (DGS)