Understanding Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. There are many kinds of hepatitis. Some are from infections and can be spread. Others are not. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be spread to other people. If it’s left untreated, it can lead to lifelong liver disease. This includes:

  • Chronic hepatitis

  • Cirrhosis

  • Liver failure

  • Liver cancer

Symptoms of HCV

Most people have no symptoms until they develop liver disease years later. Symptoms can include:

  • Flu-like symptoms, such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and sore muscles and joints

  • Sore feeling in the upper right abdomen

  • Yellow color in skin and eyes (jaundice)

  • Swelling in the belly

  • Itching

  • Confusion

  • More bleeding than normal after a cut or scrape

  • Dark yellow to brown urine

  • Light-colored stool (gray or clay color)

How HCV spreads

HCV spreads when a person comes in contact with the blood of someone who has the virus. This can happen in several ways, including:

  • Sharing needles for IV drug use, tattoos, acupuncture, or body piercings

  • A needle-stick injury

  • Sharing razors with someone who has HCV

  • Having sex without a condom with someone who has HCV (this is less common)

  • Getting a blood transfusion with unscreened blood (before 1986 in the U.S.)

  • Sharing needles or drug tools (like snorting straws)

  • Serving in the military in the 1960s and 1970s or spending time in prison

Who should get screened for HCV?

Experts say people between 18 and 79 years old should be screened for HCV at least once. People born to mothers with HCV should also be screened. Screening is important because:

  • Nearly half of people with HCV don’t know how they got it.

  • You can have HCV for a long time without any symptoms.

  • There are now very effective treatments for HCV.

Prevent the spread

There is no vaccine to stop the spread of hepatitis C. If you have HCV, you can help protect others by being careful.

Do:

  • Cover any cuts or sores on your skin. If someone helps you, they should wear gloves.

  • Use condoms during sex.

Do not:

  • Do not give blood, plasma, organs, body tissues, or sperm.

  • Do not share needles.

  • Do not share razors, toothbrushes, nail tools, or other personal items.