What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C (also known as hep C or HCV) is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. It can cause serious liver disease in an infected person. The hepatitis C virus is usually transmitted when blood from an infected person enters the bloodstream of another person, such as through sharing needles or certain sexual activities.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Most people with hepatitis C don’t have any symptoms until their liver is damaged, which can take years. However, they may experience:

• aches, pains and fever
• fatigue and sleep problems
• nausea or vomiting
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain
• jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• mood swings, anxiety and depression

Symptoms usually appear 6 or 7 weeks after exposure to the virus.

What causes hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C spreads when your blood comes into contact with infected blood. Even tiny amounts of blood are enough to transmit the virus. An estimated 8 out of 10 new cases of hepatitis C in Australia result from the unsafe injecting of drugs. In about 5% of cases, a pregnant mother who has hepatitis C can transfer the virus to their baby during childbirth. Breastfeeding is usually safe for mothers who have hepatitis C.

Adults can catch hepatitis C from:

• sharing equipment used for injecting drugs (even if you only shared once)
• sharing of drug snorting equipment such as straws
• a needlestick injury from a contaminated needle
• tattooing, piercing, manicure, pedicure, or having a medical procedure using unsterile equipment or done in a facility with poor hygiene
• sharing toothbrushes or razors, or having sex with someone with hepatitis C (although the risk is low, there is a chance if there are open wounds or blood present)

People who are also at greater risk of getting hepatitis C are people who:

• have blood clotting conditions who had blood or blood products in Australia before 1993. Australia has screened the blood supply for hepatitis C since 1993. This means that you are not likely to get the virus from these blood products now.
• spent a long time on dialysis
• have been infected with HIV

How is hepatitis C diagnosed?

You should see a doctor if you think you might have hepatitis C. Blood tests can show if you have a current infection.

Even if you’ve been diagnosed recently, you may have actually caught hepatitis C many years ago.

How is hepatitis C treated?

There are some very effective options for the treatment of hepatitis C infection. They are listed on the Medicare PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), which makes them available at a much lower cost.

The newer treatments that are now available work very well, with minimal side effects. In most cases, treatment only takes 8 to 12 weeks and involves taking a few pills a day.

Curing hepatitis C means clearing the virus from the body. It helps reduce liver inflammation and can also help reverse scarring and cirrhosis. You can be re-treated if your treatment doesn’t work the first time.

You should check with your doctor before taking any other medication or supplements, and whether you need vaccinations against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. You should also avoid alcohol if you have hepatitis. If you have liver damage, you may also need to see a liver specialist.

Can hepatitis C be prevented?

There is no vaccine to protect against hepatitis C.

You should avoid sharing needles, syringes or other equipment when injecting medication or drugs.

Avoiding blood-to-blood contact, including during sex, will help prevent infection.

If you have hepatitis C, you cannot donate blood or sperm.

Resources and support

• Hepatitis Australia has a range of helpful resources for people living with hepatitis C, including information translated in other languages and on your rights and responsibilities.
• Visit the Liver Foundation’s website for information on staying healthy with a liver disease or call their free support line on 1800 841 118 to speak to a liver nurse.
• Allgood.org.au provides information on hepatitis C in languages other than English, as well as resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Hepatitis NSW has resources available in an Easy Read format for people with intellectual disability.
• The National Hepatitis Infoline can direct you to confidential, free and localised viral hepatitis information and support services. Call on 1800 437 222 during their operating hours.