Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV)
Key points:
- Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver causing chronic liver disease.
- It is spread through contact with an infected person’s blood (sharing infected needles, childbirth, sexual activity).
- Many patients with Hepatitis C have no symptoms for years until they develop severe liver problems (liver scarring/fibrosis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer).
- There are very effective and safe treatments for Hepatitis C infection.
What is Hepatitis C and how could I have it?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that infects and damages the liver. It is a blood borne virus passed through blood-to-blood contact. This can be through sharing needles with an infected person, unscreened blood transfusions, from mother to baby during childbirth, sexual activity, and poor sterilisation of instruments (medical devices, tattoo equipment).
In Ireland, if you were born between 1965 and 1985, it is recommended that you get one off screening for Hepatitis C.
There are as many as 30,000 people in Ireland living with Hepatitis C. The virus can live outside the body at room temperature for up to 96 hours. You may be exposed without knowing.
What are the symptoms?
Hepatitis C is known as a silent killer. Patients don’t know that they have it until their liver is damaged.
Acute Symptoms:
After initial infection, the acute phase can last 6 – 8 weeks. In this time you may have the following symptoms:
- Fever, aches & pains
- Fatigue & problems sleeping
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (yellow eyes & skin)
After the acute stage of infection, people who live with the virus have chronic infection.
Chronic Symptoms:
The liver has no nerves to alert you to damage until it is advanced. Chronic symptoms are different for everyone, but they might include:
- Flu like symptoms - Fever, aches & pains, chills, night sweats & headaches.
- Mild to severe fatigue/ tiredness
- Feeling sick/ loss of appetite
- Problems with concentration/ brain fog.
- Abdominal discomfort at liver area (under lower right ribs).
- Itchy skin (pruritis)
- Joint and muscle ache
- Unable to tolerate alcohol
How do I find out if I have Hepatitis C?
The only way to know for sure is to get tested. A blood test will be used to diagnose Hepatitis C.
Can it be prevented?
No, there is currently no vaccine for Hepatitis C.
Can it be treated?
Yes, there are very safe and effective treatments for Hepatitis C. They come in the form of an oral tablet for 8 – 12 weeks. Treatment is over 95% effective.
Is treatment expensive?
Treatment costs in Ireland are covered. You will receive your tablets for free.
Can I get Hepatitis C again after treatment?
Yes, treatment gets rid of your Hepatitis C virus, but it does not protect you against future exposure. Knowing how to reduce the risk and avoiding these risks will help protect you against getting Hepatitis C again.
Where do I go for testing?
Testing is usually carried out by your GP or a sexual health clinic.
How to look after yourself when you have Hepatitis C
With Hepatitis C, your liver is being damaged slowly. Ways to avoid speeding this process up are to avoid other liver risk factors.
Eat a well-balanced diet and maintain an appropriate body weight. Obesity and fatty liver disease (from diet) can increase your risk of further liver damage. When Hepatitis C patients develop advanced liver damage (cirrhosis), they will need to follow a special diet.
Avoid drinking alcohol or only drink it in small amounts and not often.
Get treated.
Useful links:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/national-hepatitis-c-treatment-programme/about-hepatitis-c/