Understanding Hepatitis C: Key Facts and Risks
Hepatitis C is a viral liver infection that can be silent initially but may develop into chronic disease, causing serious health complications like cirrhosis and liver cancer. It spreads mainly through blood contact, with various genotypes affecting treatment options. Recognizing early symptoms and risk factors is essential for timely diagnosis and management to prevent long-term damage.
Understanding Hepatitis C: Essential Insights
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. Often, early symptoms are absent, making initial detection difficult. This slow-progressing virus can lead to chronic health issues if left untreated. The severity and progression vary among individuals. Untreated hepatitis C can migrate to the liver, causing inflammation and damage. While some cases resolve quickly, others develop into long-term chronic hepatitis C, which may result in serious complications such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
What is Chronic Hepatitis C?
If an infection persists beyond six months, it qualifies as chronic hepatitis C.
Common symptoms appearing months or years later include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal discomfort, fever, skin rashes, joint problems, mood swings, and depression.
Chronic hepatitis C affects more than 70% of infected individuals, with about 15-20% developing cirrhosis, leading to severe liver scarring and potential liver cancer.
Types of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C has six main genotypes, which influence treatment response but not severity. These are:
Genotype 1a
Genotype 1b
Genotype 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d
Genotype 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f
Genotype 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4g, 4h, 4i, 4j
Genotype 5a
Genotype 6a
Causes of Hepatitis C
This infection spreads through contact with infected blood and bodily fluids. Risk factors include:
Injecting drugs—especially shared needles for recreational or performance-enhancing drugs like steroids.
Unprotected sexual contact—due to exchange of bodily fluids.
Sharing personal items—such as razors, toothbrushes, or scissors with an infected person.
Tattooing and piercings—if needles are reused without proper sterilization.
Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis C
The CDC reports over 80% of early-stage hepatitis C cases are asymptomatic. When symptoms do appear, they include:
Fever
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
Muscle or joint pain
Yellowing of eyes or skin
Changes in bowel or urine habits
Symptoms' onset can vary from months to years post-infection. Chronic hepatitis C symptoms mirror early signs but are often more severe if untreated.
