About 4 million people in the United States might have hepatitis C, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention¹. This virus attacks the liver and is a big reason for liver failure and liver transplants². It’s a big health issue, and experts suggest all adults 18 to 79 should get tested, even if they feel fine².

Hepatitis C comes from the hepatitis C virus and spreads through blood contact². There are seven types worldwide, with type 1 being the most common in the U.S².. If it becomes chronic, it can cause serious problems like liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure².

Key Takeaways

• Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver, leading to inflammation and potential liver damage.
• Nearly 4 million people in the United States may have hepatitis C, with rates of infection quadrupling in the last decade.
• Chronic hepatitis C can result in serious complications, including liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening all adults aged 18 to 79 for hepatitis C, even without symptoms.
• Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood, such as sharing needles or unsterilized medical equipment.

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that mainly affects the liver. It causes inflammation and swelling, which can harm the liver over time³. This virus is one of the top causes of liver failure and liver transplants in the U.S³.

The infection can turn into a chronic condition. If not treated, it can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer³. The CDC says 2.7 million to 3.9 million people in the U.S. have chronic hepatitis C³. About 75 to 85 percent of people with acute hepatitis C will get chronic hepatitis C³.

The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, like sharing needles or unclean medical tools⁴. Since 2006, new cases have risen, especially in young people who use heroin or misuse opioids³. Experts think hepatitis C could become rare in the U.S. by 2036 with better screening and treatment³.

Hepatitis C Genotypes	Percentage in the U.S.
Genotype 1	The most common genotype in the U.S2.
Genotypes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6	Less common in the U.S2.

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic viral infection spread through blood contact in the U.S³. Without treatment, it can lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer³.

“Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver, causing inflammation and swelling that can damage liver tissues over time. It is one of the leading causes of liver failure and liver transplantation in the United States.”

In summary, hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that targets the liver. It can cause inflammation, swelling, and long-term liver damage if not treated. Knowing about this disease and its spread in the U.S. helps in early detection and management³⁴².

Prevalence of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a big health issue in the U.S. The CDC says 2.7 million to 3.9 million people might have it⁵. Every year, 17,000 new cases pop up, and 75% of those with it don’t even know they have it⁵.

Some groups are more likely to get it. For example, 75% of those with it were born between 1945 and 1965⁵. Also, about 2.2 million adults aged 18 and up had it in 2017-2020, and many didn’t know they had it⁶.

It hits hard on those without insurance or living in poverty. People without insurance or below the poverty line had much higher rates than those with insurance or above poverty⁶.

Worldwide, 58 million people have hepatitis C virus (HCV). The number of people testing positive for HCV went up from 2.3% to 2.8% from 1990 to 2005⁷. In rich countries, about 1 to 2% have it⁷.

With so many cases and not enough awareness, it’s key to screen and detect it early. This can prevent serious liver damage and help people stay healthier. The CDC now suggests screening all U.S. adults, not just those at high risk⁵.

Cause of hepatitis c

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), mainly spread through infected blood⁸. In the U.S., most people get it from sharing needles for injecting drugs⁸. Before 1992, it was often spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. But now, thanks to better blood screening, this is rare⁸.

Sharing needles for drugs is a big risk, but so is getting it from an infected mom during birth⁸. Sadly, many people with hepatitis C don’t show symptoms. If not treated, it can lead to serious liver problems⁸.

There are medicines that can cure hepatitis C, but no vaccine yet⁸. To prevent it, avoid sharing needles, wear gloves when handling blood, and use clean tools for tattoos and piercings⁸. Safe sex practices also help⁸.

Prevalence of Hepatitis C

From 2017 to 2020, 2.4 to 4 million people in the U.S. had hepatitis C⁹. The number of new cases went down in 2022, but it’s still high among some groups⁹. About half of new cases were linked to injecting drugs⁹.

Half of people with hepatitis C might clear the virus on their own, but chronic cases are a big concern⁹. Chronic hepatitis C is a top cause of liver cancer and liver transplants⁹. The CDC now suggests testing for all adults and those at risk to help treat it⁹.

“Chronic hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer and the main reason for liver transplants in the United States.”

In April 2020, the CDC made testing easier to help fight hepatitis C⁹. In July 2023, they advised testing babies and kids born to infected moms⁹.

2.4 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis C, and most will keep it for years¹⁰. Chronic hepatitis C can cause serious health issues, like liver cancer, years later¹⁰. If not treated, it can severely damage the liver¹⁰.

The CDC wants everyone 18 and older to get tested for hepatitis C at least once¹⁰. Since 1992, all blood and organs in the U.S. are checked for hepatitis C¹⁰. New treatments can cure hepatitis C in over 95% of cases, often in just a few weeks¹⁰⁸⁹.

Differences Between Hepatitis A, B, and C

Hepatitis A, B, and C are all viral infections that affect the liver. They differ in how they spread and their effects on the body¹¹. Hepatitis A is usually a short illness, but B and C can become long-term problems if not treated¹². Knowing the differences helps doctors diagnose and treat these infections correctly.

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus and spreads through contaminated food or water¹². It usually heals in 1-3 weeks and doesn’t turn into a chronic condition¹². Hepatitis B, on the other hand, is caused by the hepatitis B virus and spreads through blood or body fluids, like during childbirth¹¹. It can cause a lifelong infection and increase the risk of liver disease¹².

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus and spreads through sharing needles or getting stuck with a needle in a medical setting, or from an infected mother to her baby during birth¹¹. Unlike Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C often becomes a long-term infection, affecting about 75-85% of people¹². If not treated, it can lead to serious liver problems over time¹².

Characteristic	Hepatitis A	Hepatitis B	Hepatitis C
Causative Virus	Hepatitis A Virus (HAV)	Hepatitis B Virus (HBV)	Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
Primary Transmission	Contaminated food or water	Contact with infected blood or body fluids, including during childbirth	Sharing needles or “works” when “shooting” drugs, needlestick or sharps exposures in a healthcare setting, or from an infected mother to her baby during vaginal birth
Potential for Chronic Infection	Short-term illness, does not lead to chronic infection	Can cause lifelong infection with a risk of liver disease later in life	Can lead to chronic infections, with an estimated 75–85% of people with acute hepatitis C developing a chronic form of the disease
Vaccine Availability	Vaccine available	Vaccine available	No vaccine currently available, although research is ongoing

In summary, hepatitis A, B, and C are all liver infections with different causes and effects¹³¹¹¹². Understanding these differences is key for proper diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Stages of Hepatitis C Infection

Hepatitis C is a complex viral infection that goes through different stages. Each stage has its own characteristics and effects. Knowing about these stages helps in managing and treating the disease effectively.

Incubation Period

The first stage of hepatitis C is the incubation period, lasting from 2 weeks to 6 months. During this time, the virus spreads in the body but the infected person may not show any symptoms¹⁴.

Acute Infection

After the incubation period, the acute infection stage starts. Most people with hepatitis C won’t show symptoms during this stage. But, about 20% might develop acute hepatitis C¹⁴.

Chronic Infection

Most people with hepatitis C move to a chronic infection. This happens to 75% to 85% of those infected¹⁴. If not treated, chronic hepatitis C can cause liver damage and cirrhosis over many years¹⁴¹⁵.

• About 70% of people with hepatitis C get chronic hepatitis C¹⁵.
• 15–30% of those with chronic hepatitis C may get cirrhosis of the liver in 20 years¹⁵.
• 5–25 out of every 100 people with hepatitis C could get cirrhosis in 10–20 years¹⁵.

Chronic hepatitis C can last a lifetime if not treated¹⁴. Symptoms are often not clear, with fatigue being a common one¹⁴.

How hepatitis C progresses can vary a lot from person to person. Early detection and proper management are key to preventing long-term liver damage and complications¹⁶.

hepatitis c Transmission

Hepatitis C spreads mainly through infected blood, often from sharing needles or equipment for injecting drugs¹⁷. This is the main way people get hepatitis C in the U.S¹⁸.. It can also spread through unclean medical tools, blood transfusions or organ transplants before tests were done, and rarely from an infected mom to her baby during pregnancy or birth¹⁹.

Sexual transmission of hepatitis C is rare among couples who only have sex with each other¹⁷. But, people with many sexual partners, who have had STDs, or have HIV might be more likely to get the virus¹⁸. Healthcare workers who get stuck with needles are also at higher risk¹⁷.

Some groups are more likely to get hepatitis C. Those born between 1945 and 1965, or who got clotting factor concentrates before 1987, or had blood transfusions or organ transplants before July 1992, are at higher risk¹⁷. People with HIV and those in jail or prison are also more likely to get it¹⁷.

Using safe injection methods, making sure medical tools are clean, and avoiding risky behaviors like using drugs or getting tattoos without proper safety are key to stopping hepatitis C from spreading¹⁸¹⁹.

Since there’s no vaccine, finding and treating hepatitis C early can help prevent serious liver damage¹⁹. Knowing how hepatitis C spreads and taking steps to prevent it can keep people safe and help fight this serious liver disease.

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is often called the “silent epidemic” because it can hide in the body for years without showing symptoms²⁰. About 1 in every 3 or 4 people with hepatitis C will show symptoms in the first 6 months²⁰. But, most people with acute hepatitis C don’t show any symptoms at all²⁰.

The real challenge is with the chronic form of hepatitis C²¹. About 55–85% of people who get HCV will get chronic hepatitis C²¹. This chronic infection can silently harm the liver for years, often without clear symptoms²¹. Symptoms like bleeding, bruising, and fluid buildup in the abdomen may show up only when the liver is severely damaged²¹.

Chronic symptoms of hepatitis C include fatigue, joint and muscle pain, nausea, cognitive difficulties, mood swings, depression, indigestion, itching, and abdominal pain². These symptoms can greatly affect a person’s life and may not show up until the disease is advanced².

The silent nature of hepatitis C is why the CDC recommends screening all U.S. adults for the virus, even if they don’t show symptoms². Early detection and treatment are key to preventing long-term liver damage and complications from chronic hepatitis C infection.

“Hepatitis C can often lurk in the body for years without any noticeable symptoms, making it a silent epidemic. Regular screening is essential for early detection and treatment.”

Diagnosis and Testing

Diagnosing hepatitis C is a two-step process. First, a test looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV)²². If this test comes back positive, a second test checks for the virus itself (HCV RNA)²². This second test is key because about 30% of people with anti-HCV antibodies have actually beaten the virus and don’t need treatment²².

These two tests together help doctors accurately diagnose and manage hepatitis C²²²³. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say all adults 18 and older should get tested for hepatitis C at least once²³. Pregnant women should also get tested during each pregnancy²³.

The CDC also suggests testing for people with certain risks, like those who have used drugs²³. For those possibly exposed to HCV in the past 6 months, testing for HCV RNA is recommended²². The CDC also wants all HCV antibody tests to include HCV RNA testing to catch more cases²².

The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System tracks cases of hepatitis C²². Reporting cases to health authorities helps with quick action and response²².

Hepatitis C Screening Recommendations	Diagnostic Tests
All adults 18 and older should be screened at least once in their lifetime23 Pregnant individuals should be screened during each pregnancy23 Individuals with recognized risk factors or exposures should be tested23	Anti-HCV antibody test22 HCV RNA (nucleic acid) test22

Getting an accurate diagnosis and testing on time is key to managing hepatitis C well. By following guidelines and using the right tests, doctors can quickly find and treat this serious liver disease²³.

“Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver failure and liver transplantation in the United States. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential to prevent long-term complications and improve patient outcomes.”

²²²³²⁴

Treatment for Hepatitis C

The treatment for hepatitis C has changed a lot in recent years. New medicines called direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have changed how we treat the disease. These medicines, like sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, can cure over 95% of people in 8-12 weeks²⁵²⁶.

The main goal of treatment is to get rid of the virus and prevent liver damage. This includes cirrhosis and liver cancer²⁵. Thanks to these new medicines, getting rid of the virus is much more likely²⁶.

Hepatitis C Treatment Options

In the UK, the NHS offers many DAA drugs for hepatitis C. These include sofosbuvir, ledipasvir-sofosbuvir, and others²⁶. The right treatment plan depends on the patient’s genotype, liver health, and past treatments.

Hepatitis C Medication	Genotypes Treated	Treatment Duration	Cure Rate	Side Effects
Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6	12-24 weeks	90%+	Headache, fatigue
Ledipasvir-Sofosbuvir (Harvoni)	1, 4, 5, 6	8-12 weeks	95%+	Tiredness, headache, stomach pain
Glecaprevir-Pibrentasvir (Mavyret)	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6	8-16 weeks	97-98%	Headache, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea

Most people find these treatments easy to handle, but some might feel a bit tired, have headaches, or feel sick²⁶. Remember, getting better doesn’t mean you can’t get the virus again. You can still get infected²⁶.

Research is always improving hepatitis C treatments. Getting tested and using these new treatments can cure hepatitis C and lower the risk of liver problems²⁵²⁷.

“Direct-acting antivirals can cure more than 95% of people in just 8–12 weeks, which is a remarkable achievement in the treatment of hepatitis C.”

Prevention of Hepatitis C

There is no vaccine yet to prevent hepatitis C, but there are steps to lower the risk. These steps include avoiding contact with infected blood, using safe injection methods, and getting help for those who inject drugs²⁸. These actions are key to preventing this chronic liver disease²⁹.

Avoid Contact with Infected Blood

Hepatitis C spreads mainly through blood with the virus²⁹. So, it’s important to be careful. Avoid sharing needles, getting tattoos or piercings from unclean sources, or having sex without a condom²⁹.

Utilize Safe Injection Practices

If you inject drugs, use clean needles and equipment²⁸. Throw away used equipment properly and don’t share needles or other items related to drugs²⁹.

Access Harm Reduction Services

Programs like needle exchanges and safe injection sites help prevent hepatitis C²⁸. They give people who inject drugs clean needles, teach safe use, and connect them with health services²⁹.

Even without a vaccine, these steps are vital to fight hepatitis C²⁸. By focusing on safety, we can all help stop the spread of this disease³⁰.

“Early diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C can help prevent or limit liver damage and transmission of the infection to others.”³⁰

Prevention Measure	Description
Avoid Contact with Infected Blood	Be cautious when engaging in activities that could expose you to infected blood, such as sharing drug preparation equipment, receiving unsterile tattoos or piercings, or having condomless sexual contact.
Utilize Safe Injection Practices	For people who inject drugs, use sterile needles, syringes, and other injection equipment, and avoid sharing any drug-related paraphernalia.
Access Harm Reduction Services	Utilize harm reduction programs, such as needle exchange services and supervised injection facilities, which provide sterile equipment, education, and referrals to healthcare resources.

By taking these steps, we can greatly lower our risk of getting or spreading hepatitis C. This is a key step in fighting this health issue²⁸³⁰²⁹.

Impact of Hepatitis C on Health

Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that can harm your health if not treated³¹. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says up to 3.9 million people in the U.S. might have chronic hepatitis C³¹. Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports 58 million people have chronic hepatitis C³¹.

This virus causes chronic inflammation and damage to the liver. This can lead to cirrhosis (severe liver scarring), liver failure, and liver cancer³¹. Research shows 15–30% of those with chronic hepatitis C may develop liver failure³¹. Over 50% of people who get hepatitis C will have it for a long time, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)³¹.

Untreated hepatitis C can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, and liver failure over time³¹. Cirrhosis, a result of HCV infection, can cause symptoms like easy bruising, jaundice, confusion, and forgetfulness³¹. It can also lead to circulatory problems, such as portal hypertension and variceal bleeding³¹.

Hepatitis C can affect the skin, causing easy bruising, loss of skin pigment, rashes, itching, and jaundice due to poor liver function³¹. It can also affect the endocrine system, causing hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, and increasing the risk of autoimmune thyroiditis and thyroid cancer³¹.

The long-term effects of hepatitis C highlight the need for early diagnosis and treatment³¹. Early action can prevent life-threatening conditions and improve health for those affected by this virus³¹.

Liver Damage and Cirrhosis

Chronic hepatitis C can severely harm the liver. The virus causes inflammation that leads to scar tissue in the liver, known as cirrhosis³². This scar tissue makes the liver less able to work right, causing serious health problems³².

Cirrhosis is a big worry for those with chronic hepatitis C³². In the U.S., hepatitis C is the top reason for liver transplants³². The virus slowly damages the liver over years, moving from inflammation to scarring that can’t be fixed³².

As cirrhosis gets worse, the liver can’t do its job, leading to liver failure³². Signs of liver disease include bleeding easily, jaundice, itching, stomach pain, losing appetite, nausea, swelling, and trouble focusing and remembering things³².

Cirrhosis also raises the chance of getting liver cancer³². The only cure for severe liver disease is a liver transplant³². But, the virus often comes back after a transplant³².

It’s key to treat hepatitis C early to stop liver damage³². Starting treatment early can lower the risk of cirrhosis and its problems³².

“The hepatitis C virus slowly damages the liver over many years, often progressing from inflammation to permanent, irreversible scarring (cirrhosis).”³²

The Burden of Hepatitis C-Related Liver Damage

From 1999 to 2002, about 1.6% of people in the U.S. had hepatitis C virus³³. Experts worry about the health issues that will come from chronic hepatitis C in the future³³. They suggest finding and treating people born between 1945 and 1965 for hepatitis C³³.

More people died from viral hepatitis in the U.S. from 1999 to 2007³³. Studies look at how many people will get sick, die, and what it will cost in the future³³. They also studied how treatments like pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin affect liver damage³³.

Stopping and managing hepatitis C-related liver damage is key to lessening the health burden³³³²³⁴.

Barriers to Treatment Access

Even though there are effective treatments for hepatitis C, many people can’t get them³⁵. The cost of these treatments is very high, from $83,000 to $153,000³⁵. Also, about 3.5 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis C, showing how big the problem is³⁵.

Many people don’t know much about hepatitis C, and there’s a lot of stigma around it³⁶. This makes people hesitant to get tested or treated³⁶. In one study, only 5% of people in a big city got treatment³⁶. Mental health and drug use issues often stop people from getting treatment³⁶.

Healthcare systems also make it hard to get treatment³⁵. Many patients have their Medicaid payments denied, even after trying to appeal³⁵. This is a big problem for people with public insurance and those who are already vulnerable³⁵.

Doctors and healthcare workers also face a big challenge. They spend a lot of time trying to get treatments approved³⁵. In one case, a patient’s doctor spent 4 hours just on this³⁵. Another case took 40 hours to get through all the steps, and a third needed 20 hours and many appeals³⁵.

We need to make changes in policies, give more money, and teach people more to help everyone get the care they need³⁵. It’s important to overcome these obstacles to fight this serious disease³⁵.

“Hepatitis C is a serious disease that can lead to life-threatening complications, yet many patients face significant barriers to accessing the treatments that can cure it. Addressing these barriers is essential to improving health outcomes and reducing the burden of this disease.”

Hepatitis C Care and Service Delivery

Recently, big steps have been made in hepatitis C care and treatment services. New medications have made treatment easier, letting non-specialist doctors and nurses help more with hepatitis C³⁷.

Testing and treatment are now easier to get in places like harm reduction programs and prisons. This makes it easier for patients to get help³⁷. These new ways of delivering services and making treatments cheaper are key to helping more people with hepatitis C worldwide.

For these efforts to work, healthcare teams and health groups need to check in with the community before starting a new program. They should do this every year³⁷. They need to look at who hasn’t been tested or treated for HCV and find out how common the disease is in the area³⁷.

It’s also important to know what health groups suggest for testing and treating HCV. They should find out who can give these services, like doctors, peer groups, and drug treatment centers³⁷. Making sure workers have the right technology is key to making these programs work³⁷.

Metric	Value
Proportion of Asian Americans tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV)	Fewer than 50%38
Infants immunized against HBV within 3 days of birth	72.4%38
HEDIS measures used to monitor performance in American health plans	90%38
Potential preventable cases of myocardial infarctions, strokes, and end-stage renal disease with compliance to HEDIS measures	Almost 2 million, 800,000, and 100,000 respectively38
Sensitivity and specificity of point-of-care tests for HCV core antigen	Greater than 90% and 98% respectively38
Children meeting the goal of full immunization against HBV during the first 2 years of life	Over 90%38
Increase in the proportion of children receiving the hepatitis B vaccine within the first 3 days of life from 2007 to 2014	53.2% to 72.4%38

These efforts to improve hepatitis C service delivery and treatment access are vital. They help fight the growing health issue of hepatitis C in the U.S. and globally³⁷.

“Rates of acute HCV infections more than tripled among reproductive-aged persons in the United States during 2010–2021, increasing from 0.8 to 2.5 per 100,000 population among those aged 20–29 years and from 0.6 to 3.5 among those aged 30–39 years.”³⁹

The rise in hepatitis C among young adults shows we need new, focused ways to help them. We must create hepatitis C care and service delivery models that meet their needs³⁹.

By using these new methods and strategies, healthcare teams and health groups can boost hepatitis C treatment access. This can lessen the disease’s impact on people, communities, and healthcare systems³⁷.

Conclusion

Hepatitis C is a serious viral infection that mainly affects the liver. If not treated, it can be very dangerous. But, thanks to new medicines, most people can get better⁴⁰.

These new medicines help cure over 98% of HCV patients⁴⁰. Yet, some people can’t get these treatments because of high costs and lack of knowledge⁴¹. In the U.S., about 1% of people, or 2.4 million, had hepatitis C from 2013 to 2016⁴¹.

We can beat this disease by making sure more people get the care they need⁴⁰. The World Health Organization aims to cut new HCV cases by 90% by 2030⁴⁰. With better treatments and prevention, we can manage and even stop hepatitis C. This would help everyone, from patients to the healthcare system.

In short, here are the main points about hepatitis C: it’s treatable with new medicines, but getting those medicines is hard for some; in the U.S., about 2.4 million people have it; and with the right approach, we can wipe out this disease. By learning more and tackling these issues, we can make a healthier future without hepatitis C.

FAQ

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. It causes inflammation and swelling. This can damage liver tissues over time. It’s a leading cause of liver failure and liver transplantation in the U.S.

How prevalent is Hepatitis C in the United States?

The CDC says nearly 4 million people in the U.S. might have hepatitis C. They recommend screening all U.S. adults for the virus.

What causes Hepatitis C?

It’s caused by a virus that spreads through infected blood. In the U.S., it often happens when people share needles for injecting drugs.

How does Hepatitis C differ from Hepatitis A and B?

Hepatitis A, B, and C are all viral infections that affect the liver. They differ in the viruses that cause them, how they spread, and the chance of chronic infection.

What are the stages of Hepatitis C infection?

Hepatitis C goes through incubation, acute infection, and chronic infection stages. Chronic infection can lead to liver damage and cirrhosis over decades.

How is Hepatitis C transmitted?

It spreads mainly through infected blood contact, like sharing needles or unclean medical tools.

What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C?

Most people with acute hepatitis C don’t show symptoms. Chronic infections might not show symptoms until the liver is severely damaged.

How is Hepatitis C diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves two steps: testing for anti-HCV antibodies and a nucleic acid test for HCV RNA if antibodies are present to confirm chronic infection.

How is Hepatitis C treated?

Treatment uses antiviral medications like sofosbuvir and daclatasvir. The goal is to cure the disease and prevent liver damage.

How can Hepatitis C be prevented?

There’s no vaccine for hepatitis C. Prevention means avoiding infected blood contact, safe needle use, and harm reduction for drug users.

What are the long-term effects of untreated Hepatitis C?

Untreated chronic inflammation can cause liver damage and cirrhosis. Cirrhosis scars the liver, making it less functional.

What are the barriers to Hepatitis C treatment access?

Barriers include the cost of treatments, lack of knowledge about hepatitis C, and stigma and discrimination around the disease.

How is Hepatitis C care and treatment services being improved?

Recent advances have improved hepatitis C care. This includes effective antiviral medications and testing and treatment in community settings.

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