When Your Child Has the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Your child has been diagnosed with a hepatitis infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver. Treatment with antiviral medicine is recommended for all ages over 3 years. HCV may cause a chronic (lifelong) problem. It may not cause symptoms until later in the disease. Even so, it can cause severe liver damage over time. A child who has been infected with HCV can pass the virus to others.

How did my child get hepatitis C?

HCV spreads through blood. Infection can happen when blood containing the virus gets into a healthy person’s body. Often, how a person got infected is not known for sure. HCV can be passed in these ways:

  • From mother to baby during birth.

  • Through contact with infected blood, as by touching an open cut or scrape. HCV can also spread if you use an item that has even a tiny amount of an infected person’s blood on it. This includes personal care items, such as toothbrushes, pierced earrings, and tattoo- or drug needles.

  • Through infected blood products during a transfusion. Careful screening of donated blood makes this type of transmission very rare in the U.S.

  • During dialysis (a treatment for kidney failure).

  • Through unprotected sex with an infected person.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C infection?

HCV usually does not cause symptoms in children. This means someone can be infected for years without knowing it. If any symptoms do happen, they will likely be a mild flu-like illness. Other symptoms may include:

  • Pain in the upper right belly (where the liver is).

  • Swollen belly.

  • Tiredness and weakness.

  • Confusion or forgetfulness.

  • Headache.

  • Sore muscles and joints.

  • Upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea.

  • Blood in vomit or stool.

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes, dark urine, or gray- or clay-colored stools).

  • Itchy skin.

  • Low-grade fever.

  • Loss of appetite or weight loss.

How is hepatitis C diagnosed?

The doctor asks questions to find out how your child may have been exposed to hepatitis C. The doctor also does an exam. Your child’s blood is tested for HCV. Other tests may show how healthy the liver is and if there are signs of liver damage.

How is hepatitis C treated?

There are no HCV vaccines available. But new antiviral medicines are very effective in treating HCV infection in children over age 3. They are all oral and have few side effects. But all medicines have risks. Your child's doctor can talk with you about the pros and cons of medicine.

Protect your child’s health and prevent spread

  • Ask your child’s doctor for a list of medicines your child should not take. Many medicines stress the liver. They shouldn't be used. Tell any doctor who prescribes medicine for your child that your child has HCV.

  • Know that some herbs and supplements can strain the liver. Talk with your child’s doctor before giving the child anything you buy over the counter.

  • Make sure your child eats healthy foods. A diet low in fat, high in fiber, and full of fresh fruits and vegetables can help keep your child healthy.

  • Teach your child to not drink alcohol. Alcohol can cause severe liver damage in people with hepatitis. If you teach your child to avoid alcohol at a young age, they may drink less or abstain as an adult.

  • Have your child vaccinated against hepatitis A and B. These are 2 other forms of hepatitis that could cause more damage to the liver. Other people in your household should also have hepatitis A and B vaccines. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.

  • Teach your child how to prevent spreading HCV to others. Take steps to prevent exposing yourself to your child’s HCV. Since it can be spread through blood, don't share items such as toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, or any other items that may contain blood.

What are the long-term concerns?

Your child should visit the doctor regularly. The doctor can watch for liver damage. Tests will be done to keep track of the health of your child’s liver. HCV causes damage over many years. A child with HCV may develop cirrhosis (scarring in the liver) or liver cancer as an adult. This can lead to problems, and possibly the need for a liver transplant. This is why you should talk about treatment with your child's doctor.

When to contact your child's doctor

Contact your child's doctor right away if your child:

  • Has signs of dehydration. This includes decreased urination, very dark urine, dry mouth, refusal to drink fluids, and no tears when crying.

  • Is extremely irritable or drowsy.

  • Has swelling in the hands, arms, feet, ankles, abdomen, or face.

  • Bleeds from the nose, mouth, or rectum, or has bloody stools.

  • Bruises more easily than normal.