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Hepatitis C is a virus
that can
damage the liver. Here’s what you
need to know about this infection,
and how new treatments may hold
a cure.
VIRAL EXPOSURE
Hepatitis C begins as an acute
infection and causes inflammation
in the liver. In some people, it may
last just a few weeks before the
body fights it off. However, in up
to 85 percent of people with acute
hepatitis, the illness becomes chronic.
That means the virus remains in the
body and can last a lifetime.
Over time, and if left untreated,
this may lead to problems such as
cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.
Hepatitis C is spread through
contact with blood. Most people
become infected through sharing
needles to inject drugs. Before
widespread screening began in 1992,
many people also became infected
through blood transfusions or organ
transplants. Less commonly, the virus
can spread through:
»
»
Accidental needle sticks, such as
in a health care setting.
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»
Sexual contact.
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»
Sharing personal items that have
come into contact with blood,
such as a razor or toothbrush.
»
»
Childbirth—hepatitis C-infected
mothers can infect their babies
during the birth process.
Hepatitis C often has no symptoms,
so a person may be infected for years or
decades without knowing it. According
to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, when symptoms are
present, they may include:
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»
Fever.
»
»
Fatigue.
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»
Nausea.
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»
Vomiting.
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Loss of appetite.
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Abdominal pain.
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»
Dark urine.
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»
Clay-colored bowel movements.
»
»
Joint pain.
»
»
Yellowing of the skin or
eyes (jaundice).
BABY BOOMERS
GET TESTED FOR
HEPATITIS C
People born between 1945
and 1965 should be tested for
hepatitis C, according to the
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. People born
during those years are five times
more likely to have the disease.
Some may have gotten it from
blood transfusions or from drug
use. Others do not know how
or when they may have been
exposed.
Many people with hepatitis C
remain undiagnosed. People
can have the illness for years,
or even decades, and not know
it because they don’t have
symptoms.
If you were born during those
years, talk to your doctor about
testing.
Get the facts
Call the CMH Infectious
Disease & Internal Medicine
Clinic at
417-328-7985
if you
think you may need testing
for hepatitis C.
TREAT IT—CURE IT?
There are several medications
available to treat hepatitis C.
One of these, Epclusa, was
approved by the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration in 2016 and
may actually cure the infection. In
a clinical trial, 99 percent of people
who took the drug showed no
evidence of having the virus in their
blood after 12 weeks of treatment.
HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C