She Strengthens

The Hidden Danger of Hepatitis C: Understanding the Risks and Consequences

Hepatitis C, a viral infection that can cause severe liver damage, affects over 2 million American adults, with many more cases likely going undiagnosed. The virus often remains asymptomatic, making it difficult to detect, and can spread through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or syringes during drug use or getting a tattoo in an unhygienic environment.

The Importance of Liver Health

Your liver plays a vital role in digestion, toxin removal, and other essential functions. Without treatment, hepatitis C can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and eventually liver failure. Fortunately, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can cure most cases of hepatitis C with a simple 3-month treatment regimen.

Hepatitis A, B, and C: What’s the Difference?

The alphabet soup of hepatitis viruses can be confusing, but each type has distinct characteristics. Hepatitis A spreads through contaminated food and water, while hepatitis B is transmitted through bodily fluids, such as blood and semen. Hepatitis C, on the other hand, spreads through blood contact, often during drug use or tattooing.

Antibodies and Infection

If you test positive for hepatitis C antibodies, it means you’ve had the virus at some point in your life. Further testing, such as a viral load or RNA PCR test, can determine whether you have an acute or chronic infection, or if your body has naturally cleared the virus.

Transmission Risks

Hepatitis C can be transmitted through:

• Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Needlestick injuries in healthcare settings
• Sexual contact, particularly among men who have sex with men
• Unhygienic tattooing or piercing practices
• Sharing personal items, such as nail clippers or toothbrushes, involving blood-to-blood contact

Contagiousness and Disclosure

An acute hepatitis C infection can be contagious for up to a week before symptoms appear, while chronic infections remain contagious until cured. If you test positive, consider yourself contagious until you receive a negative RNA PCR test result. In some states, knowingly exposing others to the virus can lead to legal consequences.

Why No Hepatitis C Vaccine?

Despite the need for a vaccine, development has been slow due to the virus’s multiple genotypes and subtypes, as well as its ability to mutate. Additionally, current treatments can cure over 90% of cases, making investment in vaccine research less appealing to pharmaceutical companies.

Takeaway

Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection that can cause severe damage and even death. With no symptoms in many cases, it’s essential to get tested, especially if you’re at higher risk due to drug use or other factors. Early detection and treatment can prevent long-term consequences and even cure the infection.