Understanding Hepatitis C: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Hepatitis C is a contagious viral infection affecting the liver. It spreads primarily through blood contact, making it crucial to avoid exposure to infected blood. If untreated, the virus can become chronic, potentially leading to severe complications like liver cancer or liver failure. The virus targets liver cells, causing swelling and dysfunction. Reinfection with different strains is possible. Recognizing symptoms is challenging since early stages are often silent, but common signs include nausea, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice. Effective treatment with antiviral medications can cure the infection.

Symptoms of HCV

Acute Hepatitis C

Because early symptoms are often absent, many cases go unnoticed. Known as a silent epidemic, it takes about 4 to 15 weeks after exposure for symptoms to appear, if at all. These may include nausea, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, and yellowing of the skin and eyes.

Chronic Hepatitis C

If the virus stays in the bloodstream beyond six months, the infection is classified as chronic. Diagnosis involves detecting the virus at least twice, confirming chronic HCV. Without treatment, it can cause liver scarring, fibrosis, and in severe cases, liver cancer or failure, often symptomless until advanced stages. Timely antiviral treatment is essential for management.

Causes of HCV

The HCV virus causes hepatitis C. It spreads mainly through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing contaminated needles, organ transplants, or exposure in healthcare settings. Casual contact, sharing food, or insect bites do not transmit the virus. Risk factors include drug use involving injections, long-term hemodialysis, receiving infected organ transplants, or perinatal transmission from mother to child. Awareness of these risks is vital to prevention.

Diagnosis and Testing

Hepatitis C often remains undiagnosed during the early phase. Screening tests like the HCV antibody test help identify exposure. A positive result indicates past or current infection but doesn’t confirm active disease. To verify ongoing infection, HCV RNA testing is performed, guiding treatment decisions.

Treatment Approaches

Modern antiviral medications can effectively clear HCV from the body. Treatment typically involves a combination of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), with duration depending on the virus's genotype. The new therapies have greatly improved cure rates, reaching up to 90%, and are shorter and better tolerated than previous options. Treatments last approximately 8 to 12 weeks and generally have minimal side effects, such as fatigue and headaches. In some cases, the body's immune system clears the infection naturally, requiring only monitoring. Consulting a healthcare professional is essential to determine the best treatment plan.