Hepatitis C

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🦠 Hepatitis C – Overview

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver, caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer if left untreated. The virus spreads through blood-to-blood contact, and most people do not show symptoms in the early stages.

🧬 Cause

  • Caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
  • Belongs to the Flavivirus family

📌 Modes of Transmission

  • Sharing needles or syringes (e.g., IV drug use)
  • Blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 (before routine screening)
  • Unsafe medical procedures or injections
  • Sharing personal items (e.g., razors, toothbrushes) contaminated with blood
  • From mother to baby during childbirth (rare)
  • Sexual transmission (rare, but risk increases with multiple partners or co-infections)

🕐 Incubation Period

  • 2 weeks to 6 months (average ~6–9 weeks)

⚠️ Symptoms

1️⃣ Acute Hepatitis C (first 6 months)

  • Often asymptomatic
  • If symptoms occur:
    • Fatigue
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Abdominal pain
    • Loss of appetite
    • Fever
    • Dark urine
    • Pale stool
    • Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes)

2️⃣ Chronic Hepatitis C

  • 70–85% of infected individuals develop chronic infection
  • May remain silent for years or decades
  • Can lead to:
    • Liver cirrhosis
    • Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
    • Liver failure

🧪 Diagnosis

  • HCV antibody test: Checks for past or current infection
  • HCV RNA test (PCR): Confirms active infection
  • Genotyping: Determines HCV strain (guides treatment)
  • Liver function tests (ALT, AST)
  • Fibroscan or liver biopsy: To assess liver damage/fibrosis

💊 Treatment

  • Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are the current standard of care
    • Cure rate: 95% or higher
    • Treatment duration: 8–12 weeks
    • Examples: Sofosbuvir, Ledipasvir, Velpatasvir, Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir
  • No vaccine is available yet

🛡️ Prevention

  • Avoid sharing needles or sharp objects
  • Use safe sex practices
  • Screen blood and organ donations
  • Wear gloves when handling blood or body fluids
  • Test and treat: Screen high-risk populations and treat to prevent spread

🌍 Global Impact

  • Over 58 million people chronically infected worldwide (WHO, 2023)
  • 1.5 million new infections per year
  • A leading cause of liver cancer and transplants globally

✅ Key Points

  • Silent but serious: Often has no symptoms until liver damage occurs
  • Curable with modern antiviral treatment
  • Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent long-term damage
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