Hepatitis C

• Advanced age
• Obesity
• Alcohol use
• Being immunocompromised
• Insulin resistance
• Marijuana use

• IV drug use (sharing needles and syringes with someone who is infected)
• Testing positive for HIV or Hepatitis B virus
• Blood transfusion or solid organ transplant recipients before 1992
• Working as a healthcare provider who works with needles
• Patients born between 1946-1964 (baby boomers)
• Receiving injections with used/contaminated needles
• Receiving tattoo, body piercing, or acupuncture with non-sterile instruments
• Perinatal transmission (having a mother who was infected with HCV prior to child’s birth)
• Sexual transmission (less common)
• Sharing object that might contain blood, razors and toothbrushes (less common)

Unfortunately, unlike Hepatitis A and B there is no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C virus. Some preventative methods may be lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake. It is also important to get screened and tested for Hepatitis C especially those patients who are born between 1945-1965 (baby boomers) and if you are at high risk of contracting the virus.

It’s not required to get tested, but highly recommended especially if you fall in one of the following categories:

• Born between 1946-1964 (baby boomer)
• Have shared needles or syringes
• Have been a blood or organ transplant recipient
• Work in the healthcare setting specifically around needles
• Received body piercing or tattoo with non-sterile instruments
• Tested positive for HIV
• Have a mother who was infected with HVC prior to your birth
• Receiving hemodialysis

Many people are unaware when they are infected with Hepatitis C, that is because HCV may be asymptomatic. Initially patients may not experience any symptoms until after the infection has progressed to serious liver complications such as cirrhosis. Some non-specific signs/symptoms may include fatigue, abdominal pain, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Specific signs/symptoms may include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), and dark urine. In the later stages of HCV patient may present with confusion (encephalopathy), red palms, jaundice, muscle wasting, and dilated blood vessels

Hepatitis C can be fatal if left untreated. It is important to treat as soon as possible, because once complications start and liver damage is evident it will be much harder to treat.

There are several blood tests available for diagnosing Hepatitis C. The serological blood test screens for anti-HCV antibodies. Those patients who test positive for anti-HCV antibodies need to take a 2nd blood test, a nucleic acid test for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA), to confirm chronic infection. Some patients who have gotten infected with HCV and their immune system cleared the infection will still test positive for anti-HCV antibodies thus a 2nd test must be done to confirm the infection.

After one has been diagnosed with hepatitis C, further assessments are done to check the degree of liver damage, if any, in order to choose the correct treatment plan appropriate for the patient.

Recently many different medications have been approved for the treatment of Hepatitis C. Direct acting antivirals (DAA) are the latest effective treatment option available for the treatment of Hepatitis C. Normally duration of treatment for Hepatitis C is a 12-weeks, however, depending on the specific medication, and severity of the infection, treatment duration may vary. Hepatitis C genotype is another factor that affects treatment option. Typically, acute hepatitis is of short duration and can clear on its own. If treatment is needed, it is treated with the same medications used to treat chronic hepatitis C.

The cost of Hepatitis C treatment can be expensive, but this should not be a reason to not get treated. Thankfully, most insurances will cover a percentage of the cost, in addition, many pharmaceutical companies have programs that offer assistance allowing you to get your medication for a cheaper price. Talk to your pharmacist about your possible options to reduce your cost.