The purpose of this ongoing conversation on STD’s is simply to inform and help you learn how to prevent getting an STD. If you have already contracted one, we are in no way condemning you! Instead, we’d like to support you even more. If you have any question at all, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (801) 363-5466 or clientservices@pregnancyresource.net. We are here for you!

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 What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this disease.  HCV is spread by contact with the blood of an infected person.  Hepatitis C can be sexually transmitted.

How common is hepatitis C?

The number of infections per year has declined from an average of 240,000 in the 1980s to about 25,000 in 2001.  Most infections are due to illegal injection drug use.  Infection from blood transfusions  occurred prior to blood donor screening.  Now they occur in less than one per million units of blood used in transfusions.  An estimated 3.9 million Americans have been infected with HCV and 2.7 million are chronically infected.

Who is most at risk for hepatitis C?

• persons who ever injected illegal drugs
• persons who were treated for clotting problems with a blood product before 1987
• persons who received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C
• persons who received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July 1992
• long-term hemodialysis patients
• persons who have symptoms of liver disease
• healthcare workers after exposures HCV-positive blood on the job
• children born to HCV-positive women

How do people get hepatitis C?

• HCV is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood.  For example, you may have gotten infected with HCV if:  you ever injected street drugs, as the needles and/or other drug “works” used to prepare or inject the drug(s) may have had someone else’s blood than contained HCV on them
• you had sex with a person infected with HCV
• your mother had hepatitis C at the time she gave birth to you.  During the birth her blood may have gotten into your body
• you received blood, blood products or solid organs from a donor whose blood contained HCV
• you were ever on long-term kidney dialysis as you may have unknowingly shared supplies/equipment that had someone else’s blood on them
• you were ever a healthcare worker and had frequent contact with blood on the job, specially accidental needlesticks
• you lived with someone who was infected with HCV and shared items such as razors or toothbrushes that might have had his/her blood on them

Medical and dental procedures done in the United States generally do not pose a risk for the spread of HCV.  However, there have been a few situations in which HCV has been spread between patients when supplies or equipment were shared between them.

HVC is not spread by sneezing, hugging, coughing, food or water, sharing eating utensils or drinking glasses or casual contact.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Eighty percent of infected people have no signs or symptoms.  Symptoms might include jaundice (yellow skin), fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite or nausea.

What is the risk that HCV infected women will spread HCV to their newborn infants?

About 5 out of every 100 infants born to HCV infected women become infected.  This occurs at the time of birth and there is no treatment that can prevent this from happening.  Most infants infected with HCV at the time of birth have no symptoms and do well during childhood.  There are no licensed treatments or guidelines for the treatment of infants or children infected with HCV.  Children with elevated ALT (liver enzyme) levels should be referred to a specialist who has treated other children with HCV-related disease.

Should a woman with hepatitis C be advised against breast-feeding?

No.  There is no evidence that breast-feeding spreads HCV.  HCV-positive mothers should consider abstaining from breast-feeding if their nipples are cracked or bleeding.

What are the long term effects of hepatitis C?

Of every 100 persons infected with HCV about 75-80 may develop long term infection , 70 may develop chronic (on going) liver disease, 15 may develop cirrhosis (scarring) over a 20-30 year period and less than 3 may die from problems caused by the virus, such as liver cancer or cirrhosis.  Hepatitis C is a leading indication for liver transplants.

Is there treatment for hepatitis C?

HCV positive persons should be evaluated by their doctor for liver disease.  There is no vaccine for this disease.  There are medications available to treat long-lasting (chronic) HCV-infection.  Treatment with the drugs interfon and ribavirin together gives the best results with on going response rates of 40% – 80%.  This treatment is not used for pregnant women or children under eighteen.

Vaccinations for hepatitis A and B are often recommended to prevent further liver damage.  Alcohol should be avoided because it can further damage the liver.

How can hepatitis C be prevented?

Don’t ever inject drugs.  Don’t share toothbrushes, razors or other personal care articles that might come into contact with blood.

Consider the health risks if you are thinking about getting a tattoo or body piercing.  You can get infected if the tools that are used have someone else’s blood on them or if good health practices are not used.

There is little evidence to know if condoms would protect you from infection from a person who has the virus.  The surest way to avoid infection with any disease that can be transmitted sexually, including hepatitis C, is to practice sexual abstinence (abstain from any sexual contact) while single.  If you marry, select a partner who is not infected with an STD and remain sexually faithful during marriage.

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Sources and Resources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis C, Frequently Asked Questions, December 1, 2003, found at Http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/fact.htm, accessed 1-05-04.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Viral Hepatitis C, Fact Sheet, December 1, 2003, found at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/fact.htm, accessed 1-05-04.

 

Contents excerpted from the pamphlet “Hepatitis C” From Heritage House ’76 Inc. Copyright © 2004.  Item #9589 HC Excerpted with permission. All rights reserved. www.abstinence.resources.com