[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/hepatitis-c-warning-signs-symptoms\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/hepatitis-c-warning-signs-symptoms\/","headline":"Hepatitis C: Warning Signs and Symptoms","name":"Hepatitis C: Warning Signs and Symptoms","description":"Hepatitis C (HCV), a blood-borne infection, causes liver disease in infected people. Learn the signs and symptoms of this HCVand discover treatment options","datePublished":"2014-05-19","dateModified":"2024-05-24","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-center\/services\/liver-diseases","name":"Center for Liver Care","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/digestive-disorders-center\/services\/liver-diseases","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/center-for-liver-diseases\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/blood-work.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/blood-work.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/hepatitis-c-warning-signs-symptoms\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":467,"keywords":["blood transfusion","blood-borne infection","cirrhosis","HCV","hepatitis C","liver disease","liver failure","liver transplant"],"articleBody":"Hepatitis C is a blood-borne infection which can cause liver disease in infected people. It is estimated that anywhere from three to six million people in the US, and 170 million people worldwide are carriers of the virus.The virus was not discovered until 1989, and unfortunately, most carriers are still unaware that they have the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Most people who contract HCV carry it for the rest of their lives. People with liver damage due to hepatitis C may develop cirrhosis\u00a0of the liver and\/or liver failure, which could take years to develop.Are You at Risk?HCV is primarily spread through contact with infected blood. You may be at increased risk for HCV if you have had:Injected illicit drugs, especially with shared needlesA blood transfusion before 1992Blood-clotting products before 1987Long-term kidney dialysis treatmentTattoos or body piercingsSex with partners who have other sexually transmitted diseasesAn injury due to a needle stickHCV can also spread through:An HCV-infected mother to her baby at the time of birthSharing a straw when inhaling drugs, such as cocaine, with someone infected by HCVReceiving a transfusion of HCV-contaminated bloodHCV cannot be transmitted through:AirUnbroken skinHugging or kissingSneezing or coughingSharing foodEating utensils or glassesBreastfeedingDiagnosing Hepatitis CIf you are diagnosed with hepatitis C, it is important to take precautions to protect your liver and others from the virus.A blood test or a saliva test can determine if someone has been infected with HCV. If the test result is positive, additional tests will be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, identify the type of HCV, and determine the proper course of treatment.Hepatitis C Treatment OptionsHCV is treated with the following medicines:Interferon, given by injectionRibavirin, given orallyCombination of interferon and ribavirinThese medicines have limited success rates and may cause difficult side effects. Even with treatment, hepatitis C may not clear up within six months. Over a long period of time, chronic HCV can cause serious liver damage, and in rare cases a liver transplant may be necessary.Fortunately, newer therapies are available for the treatment of HCV. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently approved two direct-acting antiviral agents to treat adult patients with chronic HCV.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending that everyone born between 1945 and 1965 be screened for HCV because 79 percent of all Americans with HCV were born in that time range.The team of specialists at the UPMC Center for Liver Care is at the forefront of the clinical trials of these therapies.For more information, contact the UPMC Center for Liver Care\u00a0at 1-800-447-1651.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on May 19, 2014, and was last reviewed on May 24, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"05","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/05\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Hepatitis C: Warning Signs and Symptoms","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/05\/hepatitis-c-warning-signs-symptoms\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]