Immunization Hepatitis


	Hepatitis A Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hepatitis D Care-A-Van Current Issues Schedules/ Recommendations Parents Guide Statewide Clinics Travel Information Adult Information

Hepatitis C

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. It is currently the most common form of hepatitis resulting from transfusion in the United States.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms include loss of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, and fever. A small number of people may develop dark colored urine and jaundice (yellowing) of the skin and whites of the eyes. In the early stages of the illness, the symptoms resemble hepatitis B, but are less severe. If the infection continues for more than six months, the condition is termed chronic hepatitis C.

When do the symptoms start?

Most people with hepatitis C do not experience any symptoms. Symptoms caused by the initial infection with hepatitis C virus usually occur 6 to 9 weeks after exposure, but may be delayed for up to six months. Symptoms caused by chronic hepatitis C infection may appear many years after the initial infection.

How is the virus spread?

The hepatitis C virus is found in the blood and body fluids of an infected person. Blood is the most significant transmission source. The virus is primarily passed from person to person through direct blood-to-blood contact, including mucous membranes or broken skin. Since the implementation of screening tests for hepatitis C, transmission due to blood transfusions and organ donations has declined dramatically.

What is the treatment for hepatitis C?

There is no specific treatment for the symptoms of hepatitis C. Doctors recommend bed rest, preventing dehydration, a healthy diet, and avoidance of alcoholic beverages. Most patients with mild to severe hepatitis C begin to feel better in 2 to 3 weeks and recover completely from their symptoms within 4 to 8 weeks.

A synthetic form of the protein interferon alpha is used to treat people with chronic hepatitis C. The drug improves liver function in some people and diminishes symptoms. It may cause side effects such as headache, fever, and other flu-like symptoms.

Many chronic carriers remain symptom free or develop only a mild condition called chronic persistent hepatitis. However, approximately 10 to 20 percent go on to develop cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. These are the most serious complications of viral hepatitis.

How long is an infected person contagious to others?

An infected person is capable of transmitting hepatitis C virus to others as long as the virus in circulating in his or her blood regardless of whether or not they have symptoms. For most people, this will be for the rest of their life.

How can hepatitis C be prevented?

The most effective means of preventing hepatitis C is to avoid contact with the blood and body fluids, including semen and vaginal secretions, of infected individuals.

There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.