Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
Hepatitis C virus causes both acute and chronic infection. New HCV infections are usually asymptomatic. Some persons get acute hepatitis which does not lead to a life-threatening disease. Around 30% (15–45%) of infected persons spontaneously clear the virus within 6 months of infection without any treatment.
The remaining 70% (55–85%) of persons will develop chronic HCV infection. Of those with chronic HCV infection, the risk of cirrhosis ranges between 15% and 30% within 20 years.
Transmission
The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus. It is most commonly transmitted through:
Injecting drug use through the sharing of injection equipment;
The reuse or inadequate sterilization of medical equipment, especially syringes and needles in healthcare settings;
The transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products.
Treatment
A new infection with HCV does not always require treatment, as the immune response in some people will clear the infection. However, when HCV infection becomes chronic, treatment is necessary. The goal of hepatitis C treatment is cure.
WHO’s updated 2018 guidelines recommend therapy with pan-genotypic direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). DAAs can cure most persons with HCV infection, and treatment duration is short (usually 12 to 24 weeks), depending on the absence or presence of cirrhosis.
Prevention
Primary prevention
The following list provides a limited example of primary prevention interventions recommended by WHO:
Safe and appropriate use of health care injections;
Safe handling and disposal of sharps and waste
Testing of donated blood for HBV and HCV (as well as HIV and syphilis)
Prevention of exposure to blood during sex.
Secondary prevention
Education and counselling on options for care and treatment;
Immunization with the hepatitis A and B vaccines to prevent coinfection from these hepatitis viruses and to protect their liver;
Education and counselling on options for care and treatment;
Immunization with the hepatitis A and B vaccines to prevent coinfection from these hepatitis viruses and to protect their liver;
Key facts
- The virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness.
- Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver cancer.
- The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus: the most common modes of infection are through exposure to small quantities of blood. This may happen through injection drug use, unsafe injection practices, unsafe health care, transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products, and sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood.
- Globally, an estimated 71 million people have chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
- A significant number of those who are chronically infected will develop cirrhosis or liver cancer.
- WHO estimated that in 2016, approximately 399 000 people died from hepatitis C, mostly from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer).
- There is currently no effective vaccine against hepatitis C; however, research in this area is ongoing.
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