Hepatitis C Health Article

Definition

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver.

Alternative Names

Non-A or non-B hepatitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Hepatitis C infection is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:

• Have been on long-term kidney dialysis
• Have regular contact with blood at work (for instance, as a healthcare worker)
• Have unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C
• Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
• Received a blood transfusion before July 1992
• Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
• Share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors with someone who has hepatitis C
• Were born to a hepatitis C-infected mother

Other hepatitis virus infections include hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Each viral hepatitis infection is caused by a different virus.

Symptoms

Many people who are infected with the hepatitis C do not have symptoms.

If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may be permanently scarred -- a condition called cirrhosis. In many cases, there may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis has developed.

The following symptoms could occur with hepatitis C infection:

• Abdominal pain (right upper abdomen)
• Ascites
• Bleeding varices (dilated veins in the esophagus)
• Dark urine
• Fatigue
• Generalized itching
• Jaundice
• Loss of appetite
• Low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Pale or clay-colored stools
• Vomiting

Signs and tests

Hepatitis C is often found during blood tests for a routine physical or other medical procedure.

• Elevated liver enzymes
• ELISA assay to detect hepatitis C antibody
• Hepatitis C PCR test
• Hepatitis C genotype. Six genotypes exist. Most Americans have genotype 1 infection, which is the most difficult to treat.
• Hepatitis virus serology
• Liver biopsy