What is hepatitis C?

 

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis infection, liver scarring, or even liver cancer.

 

What are the transmission routes?

 

For a majority of cases, the virus is transmitted through the sharing of injection equipment, such as needles and syringes. A relatively small number of people get infected with HCV via sexual contact, but this is much less common.

 

What are the symptoms?

 

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of people do not exhibit any symptoms following initial infection. For those who do, the incubation period (i.e. the period when no symptoms seem to occur) can last from 2 weeks to 6 months. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, grey-coloured faeces, joint pain, and jaundice (i.e. yellowing of skin and the whites of the eyes).

 

How can hepatitis C be treated?

 

Until recently, hepatitis C treatment was based on therapy with interferon and ribavirin, which required weekly injections for 48 weeks. Subject to the health conditions of patients, the treatment may cause frequent and sometimes life-threatening adverse reactions. Recently, new antiviral drugs have been developed. These medicines, called direct antiviral agents (DAA), are much more effective, safer and better-tolerated than the older therapies.

 

How can it be prevented?

 

Use condoms and have safe sex. Avoid sharing sex toys such as dildos. Cleanse and sterilize them thorougly if you notice blood stains on the surface. Also, do not share needles and syringes - use disposable injection equipment whenever possible. Personal hygience items such as razors, toothbrushes, and nail clippers should not be shared as well.