1. Hepatitis Slideshow Pictures
2. Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
3. Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Suresha Rajaguru, MD

Medical Author:

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP

Mary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University.

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Medical Editor:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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In this Article

• Hepatitis C infection (HCV, hep C) facts
• What is hepatitis C infection?
• What is the nature (biology) of the hepatitis C virus?
• How does liver damage occur in hepatitis C infection?
• How is hepatitis C virus spread, is it contagious, and how can transmission be prevented?
• What are the symptoms of hepatitis C infection?
• What conditions outside the liver are associated with hepatitis C infection?
• What is the usual progression of chronic hepatitis C infection?
• Who is at high risk and should be tested for hepatitis C infection?
• What are the diagnostic tests for hepatitis C virus and how are they used to diagnose hepatitis C infection?
• What is the role of a liver biopsy in the management of chronic hepatitis C infection?
• What is the treatment for hepatitis C infection?
• Who should receive antiviral therapy for hepatitis C infection?
• What are the different patterns of response to antiviral treatment?
• What are the goals of therapy for hepatitis C infection?
• What are the therapy options for previously untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C infection?
• How are relapses and nonresponders treated?
• Should individuals with acute hepatitis C infection be treated?
• What are the side effects of treatment for hepatitis C infection?
• What about liver transplantation for hepatitis C infection?
• What is the current research and what is in the future for hepatitis C infection?
• Patient Comments: Hepatitis C - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Hepatitis C - Treatment
• Patient Comments: Hepatitis C - Diagnosis
• Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
• Hepatitis C Index

The presence of HCV in the liver triggers the human immune system, which leads to inflammation. Over time (usually decades), prolonged inflammation may cause scarring. Extensive scarring in the liver is called cirrhosis. When the liver becomes cirrhotic, it fails to perform its normal functions, (liver failure), and this leads to serious complications and even death. Cirrhotic livers also are more prone to become cancerous.

HCV is spread (transmitted) most efficiently through exposure to infected blood.

• The most common route of transmission is needles shared among users of illicit drugs.
• Accidental needle-sticks in health care workers also have transmitted the virus. The average risk of getting HCV infection from a stick with a contaminated needle is 1.8% (range 0% to 10%)
• Prior to 1992, some people acquired the HCV infection from transfusions of blood or blood products. Since 1992, all blood products have been screened for HCV, and cases of HCV due to blood transfusion now are extremely rare.
• HCV infection also can be passed from mother to unborn child. Approximately 4 of every 100 infants born to HCV-infected mothers become infected with the virus.
• A small number of cases are transmitted through sexual intercourse. The risk of transmission of HCV from an infected individual to a non-infected spouse or sexual partner without the use of condoms over a lifetime has been estimated to be between 1% and 4%.
• Finally, there have been some outbreaks of HCV when instruments or exposed to blood have been re-used without appropriate cleaning between patients.

Transmission of HCV can be prevented in several ways.

• Prevention programs have been aimed at avoiding needle sharing among drug addicts. Needle exchange programs and educational interventions have reduced transmission of HCV infection. However, the population of drug addicts is a difficult population to reach, and rates of HCV remain high among addicts (30% of younger users).
• Among healthcare workers, safe needle-usage techniques have been developed to reduce accidental needle-sticks. Newer syringes have self-capping needle systems that avoid the need to manually replace a cap after drawing blood and reduce the risk of needle-sticks.
• There is no clear way to prevent transmission of the HCV from mother to child.
• Persons with multiple sexual partners should use barrier precautions such as condoms to limit the risk of HCV as well as other sexually-transmitted diseases.
• If one partner is infected, monogamous couples should consider the low risk of transmission of HCV infection when deciding whether to use condoms during intercourse. Some couples may decide to use them and some may not.
• Screening tests for blood products have almost eliminated the risk of transmission of HCV infection through transfusion, estimated by the CDC to be less than one in two million transfused blood products.
• People with HCV infection should not share razors or toothbrushes with others.
• It is critical that physicians and clinics follow manufacturer's directions for sterilizing/cleaning instruments and that disposable instruments be discarded properly.

It is important to realize that HCV is not spread by casual contact. Thus, shaking hands, kissing, and hugging are not behaviors that increase the risk of transmission. There is no need to use special isolation procedures when dealing with infected patients.