Navigation
[TITLE]

[MESSAGE]

[BUTTONS]

Popular questions...

Content

Can I prevent infection with hepatitis C?

The best way of preventing infection with hepatitis C is to avoid coming into contact with other people's blood. This can be achieved by: avoiding any untested blood or organ donations; avoiding sharing of needles, razors, toothbrushes or nail scissors; avoiding getting tattoos or body piercings, and; practicing safe sex.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. It can result in serious health issues, including liver failure and death. The virus spreads mainly during blood-to-blood contact.

How common is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C affects an estimated 130-200 million people worldwide.

What are the signs of hepatitis C?

A hepatitis C infection can often pass undetected for many years, since many people who contract the virus do not exhibit any signs and symptoms. Signs of hepatitis C include fatigue, weariness, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, muscle …

Who can become infected with hepatitis C?

Anyone can be infected with hepatitis C. People at a particular risk of infection include: Blood transfusion recipients, especially prior to 1990; Intravenous drug users (past or present); People who have had tattoos and body piercings, …

How is hepatitis C diagnosed?

Hepatitis C is diagnosed through blood tests, which measure liver function and detect the presence of antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in the blood.

How is hepatitis C treated?

Hepatitis C can be treated with a combination of several antiviral drugs, commonly pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The success of the treatment is around 50%. In late 2013, two new medications for hepatitis C - sofosbuvir and simeprevir - have been shown in …

Is hepatitis C serious?

Hepatitis C is a serious condition, causing significant liver damage in approximately 15-30% of cases. If this occurs, a liver transplant may be required in order to avoid death.

Related topics

Diseases & conditions

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a viral inflammation of the liver which can be spread through sexual and blood-to-blood contact. While most people get better, some people may develop liver failure or even liver cancer in the future, however treatment options are available.…
Diseases & conditions

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. Although symptoms can include fatigue, fever, nausea and jaundice, many people infected with the virus show no symptoms. Hepatitis A can be prevented with vaccination.…
Diseases & conditions

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver, which has numerous causes. In many cases, hepatitis goes away by itself after a few weeks. In other cases hepatitis can be a long-term condition.…
Diseases & conditions

Hemochromatosis

Hemochromatosis is a hereditary condition that causes your body to absorb too much iron from your diet. Over time it accumulates in tissues and certain organs, including your heart, liver and pancreas. If undetected and untreated, this excess iron can damage tissues and organs.…
Diseases & conditions

Wilson's disease

Wilson’s disease is a genetic disorder than results in the abnormal accumulation of copper in the body, which, if left untreated, can be fatal. Treatment is lifelong but effective, involving a low-copper diet as well as steps to reduce accumulated copper in the body.…
Diseases & conditions

Cholestasis of pregnancy

Cholestasis is a condition in which the flow of bile from a pregnant woman’s liver is slowed, causing a build-up of bile acids in the bloodstream. It may occur in the later stage of pregnancy and the most notable symptom is intense itching.…

About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 19 Sep 2014
Last reviewed: 18 Oct 2018
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Votes: 1316 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Hepatitis B

×

Content goes in here.