STDs & Symptoms
What are Hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver. Over time, it can lead to liver damage, including scarring (cirrhosis), liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated.
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At least 50% of the time, chlamydia has no symptoms in men and women which contributes to the disease being extremely common and easily spread. It can be easily cured with antibiotics; get tested today if you think you may have been exposed.
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Types of Hepatitis C
- Acute Hepatitis C: A short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months of exposure. Some people clear the virus naturally during this stage.
- Chronic Hepatitis C: If the body does not clear the virus, the infection becomes long-term, leading to potential liver damage over decades.
Symptoms
Hepatitis C symptoms vary and often go unnoticed, especially in the early stages. Many people with the virus remain asymptomatic for years, which is why regular testing is essential for those at risk.
Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis C
Symptoms may appear within 2–12 weeks of exposure, though many people experience no symptoms during this phase:
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Abdominal pain (especially in the upper right side, near the liver)
- Dark urine
- Clay-colored stools
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis C
Most people with chronic hepatitis C remain symptom-free for years. When symptoms develop, they may indicate liver damage and include:
- Persistent fatigue
- Muscle or joint pain
- Difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”)
- Swelling in the abdomen or legs
- Easy bruising or bleeding
- Itchy skin
- Spider-like blood vessels on the skin
- Jaundice
Complications from Untreated Hepatitis C
If left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to severe liver damage, including:
- Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
- Liver failure
- Liver cancer
Because symptoms often don’t appear until significant liver damage occurs, regular screening is vital for individuals at risk. Early detection allows for effective treatment with antiviral medications, which can cure the infection and prevent complications.
STD Risk Factors
Hepatitis C is primarily spread through contact with infected blood. Certain behaviors, exposures, and health conditions increase the risk of contracting the virus.
Major Risk Factors for Hepatitis C
1. Sharing Needles or Drug Equipment
Using or sharing needles, syringes, or drug paraphernalia during intravenous drug use is the most common mode of transmission.
2. Receiving Contaminated Blood Products
Blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 (when widespread screening for hepatitis C began) carry a higher risk.
3. Needlestick Injuries
Healthcare workers exposed to blood through accidental needle sticks or sharp instruments are at risk.
4. Sharing Personal Items
Items that may come into contact with blood, such as razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers, can transmit the virus.
5. Getting Tattoos or Piercings
Procedures performed with unsterilized equipment or in non-professional settings can spread hepatitis C.
6. Mother-to-Child Transmission
A pregnant person with hepatitis C can pass the virus to their baby during childbirth.
7. Unprotected Sex
While less common, hepatitis C can be transmitted through sexual activity, particularly if there are open sores, bleeding, or co-infection with HIV.
8. Living with an Infected Person
Though casual contact poses no risk, sharing blood-contaminated items can lead to transmission.
9. Receiving Hemodialysis
Long-term kidney dialysis increases the risk due to frequent blood exposure.
10. Incarceration
Higher rates of hepatitis C exist in prison settings due to shared needles, tattoos, or other high-risk behaviors.
Other Risk Considerations
1. Born Between 1945–1965:
Baby boomers are at higher risk due to less stringent blood screening practices in the past.
2. HIV Co-Infection:
People with HIV have an increased risk of acquiring hepatitis C.
3. Living in High-Prevalence Areas:
Regions with less access to healthcare and screening may have higher transmission rates.
Diagnosis & Treatment
- Testing: Blood tests confirm the presence of the virus and its severity.
- Treatment: Modern antiviral medications can cure hepatitis C in most cases within 8–12 weeks.
- Prevention: Avoid sharing needles, practice safe sex, and ensure proper sterilization of medical equipment.
Hepatitis C has no vaccine, so prevention and early treatment are crucial to avoid complications.
