Hepatitis C
Here's a virus that can cause long-term health problems, so take steps to avoid it.
What is it?
Hepatitis C virus (often called 'Hep C' or HCV) is a virus that causes inflammation of the liver. It is estimated there are between 200,000 and 500,000 hepatitis C sufferers in the UK. As many as nine out of ten don't know they have the virus.
How is it caught?
Sharing needles for drug misuse places you at greatest risk of being exposed to the virus, but it can also be passed on through unprotected sex. During childbirth, a baby can contract hepatitis C if the mother is infected. Receiving a blood transfusion can also be a risk in developing countries where donated blood is not always tested for the virus. Getting a tattoo or piercing with unsterilised equipment, receiving medical or dental treatment abroad where unsterilised equipment may have been used, and sharing a toothbrush or razor with anyone who has hepatitis C are also ways of contracting the virus.
What are the symptoms?
Early symptoms can take months or even years to appear:
- A flu-like illness, characterised by nausea, vomiting, and tiredness;
- Lack of interest in food;
- Weight loss;
- Aching muscles and joints.
During the later stages, further symptoms may include:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin);
- Darker urine;
- Lighter coloured poo;
The infection is often chronic, and yet in the majority of cases few symptoms will occur (which can makes infection more likely if someone is unaware they have the virus).
Tests and treatment
- A blood test will tell you if you have caught this infection, and a second blood test is needed to see if you are still infectious.
- Drug treatment may be used to treat hepatitis C, but it isn't always effective.
- In some cases, complications can arise in the years that follow a Hep C infection, including cirrhosis of the liver, and also liver cancer.
- If you're diagnosed with hepatitis C, be sure to check in regularly with your GP, or the medical professional who is dealing with your case.
If you think you might have a sexually transmitted infection, sort it out straight away. Go to your nearest genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, available at most large hospitals. GUM clinics give free and confidential advice and treatment. Or you can make an appointment to see your GP.
Reduce your risk of infection. Make sex safer by using condoms every time, and never share needles for drug misuse.
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