Hepatitis C: transmission, symptoms & treatment guide
Hepatitis C is a serious viral disease that primarily affects the liver.
It was first identified as a distinct virus in the 1980s and causes inflammation in the liver, which can lead to long-term health damage. The liver is a vital organ responsible for functions such as detoxifying the body and processing nutrients. In its early stages, hepatitis C is often asymptomatic, making early detection difficult without preventive testing. Worldwide, around 50 million people are affected by chronic hepatitis C infection, and there is currently no effective vaccine against the disease (WHO, 2024). In this blog, we explore what hepatitis C is, how it is transmitted, and the symptoms and treatment options available.
Table of contents
- What is hepatitis C?
- How is hepatitis C transmitted?
- What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
- How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
- Who is at risk for hepatitis C?
- Can hepatitis C be cured? Treatment options
- Summary
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that targets the liver. The term “hepatitis” means liver inflammation, and the “C” refers to the specific hepatitis C virus (HCV) that causes the infection. A distinction is made between short-term (acute) and long-term (chronic) infections, which lead to inflammation and swelling and can damage liver tissue to the point that it becomes non-functional. Chronic infections can result in serious health complications, including cirrhosis (a chronic liver condition with scarring and loss of function) and liver cancer. In addition to hepatitis C, there are also types A and B, which we will briefly mention later (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
Hepatitis C and other forms:
The term “hepatitis” broadly refers to a group of diseases that cause liver inflammation and damage, but each is caused by a different virus (A, B, C). The table below provides an overview of the three main types and their transmission routes:
| Type | Transmission route | Infection type |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Feces, contaminated food | Acute, resolves within weeks |
| Hepatitis B | Contact with blood, sexual contact, from mother to child during birth | Acute and chronic possible |
| Hepatitis C | Blood contact | Mostly chronic (in 80% of cases) |
Acute hepatitis C refers to the early stage of the disease, where symptoms are rare or mild and may resolve within a few months. In chronic hepatitis C, the virus remains in the body and continues to damage the liver, potentially leading to complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
How is hepatitis C transmitted?
Hepatitis C is spread through direct contact with infected blood. Transmission from one person to another occurs during activities that involve exposure to blood. Common situations include:
- Sharing needles: Common among people who use injection drugs and share syringes.
- Mother-to-child transmission: Occurs during childbirth when the virus is passed through the bloodstream.
- Improperly sterilized medical equipment: If instruments are reused without being properly disinfected after use on an infected person.
- Tattoos and piercings: Risk stems from non-sterile needles.
- Blood transfusions and organ transplants: Especially before the 1990s, when screening for the virus in blood products was not routine.
Transmission through sexual contact is possible but relatively rare. The risk increases with practices that may cause bleeding. Condom use is always recommended, especially with multiple partners (RKI, 2018).
Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 2017
How is hepatitis C NOT transmitted?
Unfortunately, misunderstanding and stigma are common with many diseases—including hepatitis C. One study found that 95% of participants reported experiencing stigma in their daily lives following a hepatitis C diagnosis (Saine et al., 2020). This is often due to a lack of knowledge about transmission routes, fear of infection, and the association of hepatitis C with drug use (WHO, 2024). That’s why it’s important to understand how hepatitis C is not spread in order to foster supportive environments and reduce unnecessary fear.
Hepatitis C is not transmitted through everyday contact such as sharing food or drinks, hugging, shaking hands, or using the same toilet. It is also not spread through coughing, sneezing, or insect bites (Khatri, 2022).
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C often causes no symptoms in the early stages, making early detection difficult. In acute hepatitis C, symptoms typically appear 1 to 3 months after infection:
Source: based on MedlinePlus, 2024
Unfortunately, in cases of chronic hepatitis C, symptoms usually do not appear until the disease is already advanced and complications have developed. This is why hepatitis C screening is highly recommended. Symptoms indicating a progressed, long-term infection may include edema (fluid retention in the limbs), ascites (a swollen abdomen due to fluid buildup), and unexplained weight loss (MedlinePlus, 2024).
How is hepatitis C diagnosed?
Hepatitis C is typically diagnosed with a blood test known as the anti-HCV test, which checks for antibodies against the hepatitis C virus. A positive result may indicate either a past or a current infection. If the test is positive, further testing is required to determine whether the infection is still active. This is important because about 30% of people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) clear the infection on their own due to a strong immune response. These individuals have HCV antibodies in their blood but do not require treatment. To confirm an active infection, a hepatitis C RNA test is used. This test detects the virus’s genetic material in the blood.
Depending on a person’s health, symptoms, and medical guidance, additional diagnostic procedures may be performed to assess liver damage. These may include a liver function test or a liver biopsy (in which a small tissue sample is taken and examined) (WHO, 2024).
Who is at higher risk of hepatitis C?
People at increased risk of contracting hepatitis C include those who:
- Inject drugs and do not properly clean or use sterile equipment
- Received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992
- Undergo kidney dialysis
- Are healthcare workers exposed to blood or contaminated needles
- Have tattoos or body piercings
- Have lived or worked in prison
- Were born to a mother with hepatitis C
- Have HIV
- Have had more than one sexual partner in the past six months or a history of sexually transmitted infections
- Are men who have sex with men
Source: CDC, 2023
Would you like to assess your health yourself?
In addition to hepatitis C, hepatitis B also poses significant risks to liver and overall health. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and infected bodily fluids and is highly contagious, especially through sexual contact. Testing is strongly recommended if you have had unprotected sex or frequently change partners, as early detection of potential liver damage is crucial. In addition to a liver function blood test, Homed-IQ also offers a hepatitis B blood test that detects the hepatitis B virus in the blood.
Can hepatitis C be cured? Treatment options
Hepatitis C is now highly treatable with the use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications. These drugs cure the infection in approximately 90% of cases, although this does not mean that reinfection is not possible. While vaccines exist for hepatitis A and B, there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. Although the type and duration of treatment may vary between individuals, antiviral therapy typically lasts 8 to 12 weeks. Treatment is often accompanied by lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol consumption and practicing safe sex, to avoid placing further strain on the liver (NHS, 2021).
In cases of advanced hepatitis C, where significant liver damage or cirrhosis has occurred, more intensive medical treatment may be needed—and in some cases, a liver transplant may be required (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).
Summary
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver and can present in both acute and chronic forms. It is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, such as sharing needles or through improperly sterilized medical instruments. Many people show no symptoms in the early stages, making early detection difficult. Long-term consequences can include severe liver damage, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer. Modern antiviral medications offer high cure rates, but there is currently no vaccine available for hepatitis C.
