Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver.
Alternative NamesNon-A or non-B hepatitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:
Hepatitis C has an acute and chronic form. Most people who are infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C.
Other hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Each viral hepatitis infection is caused by a different virus.
SymptomsMany people who are infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms.
If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred, a condition called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.
The following symptoms could occur with hepatitis C infection:
The following tests are done to help diagnose hepatitis C:
The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis C:
Liver biopsy can show how much damage has been done to the liver.
TreatmentThere is no cure for hepatitis C, but medications in some cases can suppress the virus for a long period of time.
Some patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with medications. The most common medications are a combination of interferon alpha and ribavirin, an antiviral medication.
These medications have a number of side effects, including:
See: Cirrhosisfor information about treating more severe liver damage caused by hepatitis C.
Patients who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may be candidates for a liver transplant.
People with hepatitis C should also:
You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group of people who share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - resources.
Expectations (prognosis)Most people with hepatitis C infection have the chronic form.
In people who are treated with medications, a "sustained response" means that the patient is free from the hepatitis C virus 6 months after stopping treatment. This does not mean that the patient is cured, but that the levels of active hepatitis C virus in the body are very low and are probably not causing more, or as much damage.
Patients with genotypes 2 or 3 are three times more likely to respond to treatment than patients with genotype 1.
Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States today. People with this condition may have:
Hepatitis C usually comes back after a liver transplant, which can lead to cirrhosis of the new liver.
Calling your health care providerCall your provider if:
Avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. Health care workers should follow precautions when handling blood and bodily fluids.
Do not inject illicit drugs, and especially do not share needles with anyone. Be careful when getting tattoos and body piercings.
Sexual transmission is low among stable, monogamous couples. A partner should be screened for hepatitis C. If the partner is negative, the current recommendations are to make no changes in sexual practices.
People who have sex outside of a monogamous relationship should practice safer sex behaviors to avoid hepatitis C as well as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and hepatitis B.
Currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
ReferencesGhany MG, Strader DB, Thomas DL, Seeff LB. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatitis C: an update. Hepatology. 2009;49:1335-1374.
Jou JH, Muir AJ. In the clinic. Hepatitis C. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148:ITC6-1-ITC6-16.
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver.
Alternative NamesNon-A hepatitis; Non-B hepatitis
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsHepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:
Most people who were recently infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. About 1 in 10 have yellowing of the skin (jaundice) that gets better.
Of people who get infected with hepatitis C, most develop a long-term (chronic) infection. Usually there are no symptoms. If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred. This is called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.
The following symptoms could occur with hepatitis C infection:
Blood tests are done to check for hepatitis C:
Genetic testing is done to check for the hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes exist. Test results can help your doctor better choose your treatment.
The following tests are done to identify and monitor liver damage from hepatitis C:
Liver biopsy can show how much damage has been done to the liver.
TreatmentThe goals of HCV treatment are to remove the virus from the blood and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer that can result from long-term HCV infection.
Many patients with hepatitis C benefit from treatment with medications. The most common medications are a combination of pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin, an antiviral medication.
These medications have a number of side effects, and patients must be watched closely. See: Cirrhosis for information about treating more severe liver damage caused by hepatitis C.
Patients who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may be candidates for a liver transplant.
People with hepatitis C should also:
You can often ease the stress of illness by joining a support group of people who share common experiences and problems. See liver disease - resources.
Expectations (prognosis)Most people with hepatitis C infection have the chronic form.
Patients with genotypes 2 or 3 are more likely to respond to treatment than patients with genotype 1. Newer drugs may improve the response of those with genotype 1.
Many doctors use the term "sustained virologic response" rather than "cure" when the virus is removed from the blood, because it is not known whether this will last a person's entire life. Even if treatment does not remove the virus, it can reduce the chance of severe liver disease.
Hepatitis C is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States today. People with this condition may have:
Hepatitis C usually comes back after a liver transplant, which can lead to cirrhosis of the new liver.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if:
Avoid contact with blood or blood products whenever possible. Health care workers should follow precautions when handling blood and bodily fluids.
Do not inject illicit drugs, and especially do not share needles with anyone. Be careful when getting tattoos and body piercings.
Sexual transmission is very low among stable, monogamous couples. A partner should be screened for hepatitis C. If the partner is negative, the current recommendations are to make no changes in sexual practices.
People who have sex outside of a monogamous relationship should practice safer sex behaviors to avoid hepatitis C as well as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and hepatitis B.
Currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
ReferencesGhany MG, Strader DB, Thomas DL, Seeff LB. American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Diagnosis, management, and treatment of hepatitis C: an update. Hepatology. 2009;49:1335-1374.
Jou JH, Muir AJ. In the clinic. Hepatitis C. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148:ITC6-1-ITC6-16.
O'Leary JG, Davis GL. Hepatitis C. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 79.
Rosen HR. Clinical practice. Chronic hepatitis C infection.N Engl J Med. 2011 Jun 23;364(25):2429-38.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 10/16/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California.
no alcoholic hepatitis not same as hepatitis c
Hepatitis C is the worst and the most dangerous type of hepatitis. Vincent Dublin
Hepatitis B, hepatitis C and AIDS
Hepatitis C is formerly called non A non B hepatitis.
no
Hepatitis A, B or C?
No, nits cannot transfer hepatitis C.
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
Hepatitis A,B,and C all attack the liver. beeaarkay at gmail.com
Hepatitis C can cause Secondary vasculitis
was christopher paul lanman diagnosed with hepatitis C
No spells no c is less contagious