What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is an infectious virus,
carried in the blood and transmitted by
blood-to-blood contact. The hepatitis C virus
affects the liver.
How many people have hepatitis C?
It has been estimated that as many as
300,000 Canadians are infected with hepatitis C.
More than 5,000 individuals in Canada get this virus
each year. The World
Health Organisation (2000) estimated that world
wide, 170 million people are infected with the
hepatitis C virus.
Why is hepatitis C a health concern?
The hepatitis C virus was identified
in 1989. However, hepatitis C has been around for a
very long time and many infected people do not know
they have the virus. This is because for some, there
are no symptoms and for others, the symptoms may not
show up for 20 to 30 years. During this time, they
can spread the disease to other people. Those
infected with the hepatitis C virus may not know
they have this disease until damage has already been
done to their liver. Its important to know if you
are at risk.
How do I know if I may be at risk?
Hepatitis C is spread through contact
with the blood of infected people. If you had a
blood transfusion or were treated with a blood
product before 1992, you may have been exposed to
hepatitis C. Currently, all blood and blood products
are carefully screened for hepatitis C.
Blood-to-blood contact can also occur
if you:
- Ever, even once, shared needles, straws used for snorting drugs, pipes, spoons and other drug-related equipment.
- Got a tattoo or had body piercing or acupuncture where the operator used unsterile or homemade equipment or unsterile techniques.
- Were pricked by a needle that had infected blood on it (this could happen in the workplace).
- Were born to a mother who has hepatitis C.
- Have engaged in unprotected sexual activity that includes contact with blood or the exchange of blood.
- May have undergone medical and/or dental treatment where non-sterile equipment was used.
- Shared razors, toothbrushes, tweezers, manicure or pedicure equipment such as nail clippers, that may have been contaminated with infected blood.
What if I may have been exposed to hepatitis C?
If you think you may be at risk for
hepatitis C, you should contact a health care
professional. A simple blood test can determine if
you have been exposed to the hepatitis C
virus.
What happens to people with hepatitis C?
Although people who get hepatitis C
may not have symptoms, or feel ill for only a short
time, they may carry the hepatitis C virus in their
bloodstream and be infectious for years. You may
have hepatitis C and not realize it because it is
difficult to know when you are in the first or
"acute" phase. In the majority of cases,
hepatitis C progresses to a "chronic" stage
which lasts for a long time, perhaps a person's
whole life. The worst effect of this is a condition
called "cirrhosis" which results in severe damage to
the liver. A small number of people may get liver
cancer.
Can hepatitis C be treated?
For those whose hepatitis C infection
is more advanced, drug treatment may be appropriate
and must be administered after careful assessment by
your doctor. The best current treatment strategy is
the use of two antiviral drugs together, inteferon
alfa-2b plus ribavirin. New drugs are being
developed. Herbal treatments may not be helpful, and
may be detrimental, in the treatment of hepatitis
C.
Need more information?
Much of the information on this page
is courtesy of The
Public Health Agency of Canada. Visit their
web
site to learn more about hepatitis C.
The Ontario Ministry of Health HEPATITIS
C - AWARENESS AND PREVENTION website provides
the facts about hepatitis C: how to prevent it, what
to do if you think you might be at risk, treatment
and care, and useful advice if you have been
diagnosed.
Last update 05 September 2007
