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Health Topic of the Month
HEPATITIS C
What is Hepatitis C? A viral infection of the Liver. About four million Americans are infected with this Virus. It is found in the blood of infected persons and can be spread by sharing needles, blood transfusion and sometimes, but rarely, by sex with infected persons.
How serious is HCV? Hepatitis C virus may progress to Cirrhosis, which is a scarring of the liver. Some cases may even develop into cancer of the liver. The majority of infected individuals, carry the virus in their blood for the rest of their lives without feeling sick or realizing that they are infected. If your hepatitis C test is positive, you need to talk to your Doctor who may ask for additional tests to check for liver damage.
Who is at risk for Hepatitis C? It is spread is primarily by exposure to human blood. You may have gotten Hepatitis C through:
- Blood Transfusion or Solid organ transplant (e.g. Kidney, Heart, and Liver) before July 1992
- Blood product for clotting problems before 1987
- Injection of street drugs (even if many years ago)
- Kidney dialysis
- Contact with blood in the work place especially accidental needle sticks
- Sex with infected person with HCV and multiple sex partners
- Born to infected mother with HCV
- Living with someone who has Hepatitis C and shared items such as razors or toothbrushes that might have blood on them
HCV is not spread by: Sneezing, hugging, coughing, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses, food, water or casual contact.
How to prevent spread of HCV to others if you are infected:
- Do not donate blood, sperm and organs
- Do not share toothbrushes and razors or any other article that may have your blood on it
- Stop shooting illicit drugs
- If you have a single partner, there is a very low chance (<5%) of becoming infected through sexual activity
- If you want to lower that small chance always use condoms. Ask your doctor to test you and your partner
- If you have multiple sexual partners always use condoms
HCV in Pregnancy: Five out 100 infants born to HCV infected women become infected.
Treatment of Hepatitis: Recently, two drugs in combination have been used and approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treatment of Hepatitis C: Interferon and Ribavirin. Ask your Doctor for more information about this treatment.
Is there a vaccine available for hepatitis C prevention? No.
How to take care of your liver:
- Do not drink alcohol.
- See your Doctor on a regular basis and tell him or her about all your medication.
- If you have liver damage from Hepatitis C, you should get vaccinated against Hepatitis A.
For more information call Hepatitis hotline at 1-888-443-7232 or access Internet at www.cdc.gov
Jalal Saied, MD
Prince George's Hospital Center, Cheverly, MD.
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