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Hepatitis C
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. Many persons who have hepatitis
C have no symptoms. Symptoms may include
fever, lack of energy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort and jaundice (yellow color
to the whites of the eyes or skin and darkening of urine). Most infected persons develop chronic, long-term hepatitis C
(carrier) and can spread the infection. Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver
failure are serious risks with this disease, but may take decades to develop.
How common is it?
It is estimated that almost 4 million persons in the U.S. are infected with hepatitis
C. It accounts for most of the hepatitis cases that used to be referred to as non-A, non-B
hepatitis. Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplantation and accounts for
nearly 8,000-10,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
How is it spread?
The virus is spread mainly by direct contact with the blood from an infected
person. About 80% of people who have ever injected street drugs and/or shared
injection drug equipment are infected
with hepatitis C. It can also be spread when health care workers are exposed to an infected
person’s blood, or through organ transplants or blood transfusions, especially those
received prior to the development of a hepatitis C test in the early 1990s. Infected mothers can pass the virus to their
babies but this is thought to occur at a low rate and accounts for about 5% of
cases in the United States. The risk of sexual transmission also appears to be
low, accounting for about 5% of cases in this country. Other persons at risk include kidney
dialysis patients.
Hepatitis C is not spread by sneezing, coughing, hugging, sharing eating utensils or
drinking glasses, or other casual contact. It is not spread by food or water.
How high is the risk of getting hepatitis C through a blood transfusion?
Thanks to the tests developed for hepatitis C, the risk is now very low. Donated blood
has been routinely tested for hepatitis C since the early 1990s.
How soon do symptoms occur?
Many people with hepatitis C have no symptoms. If symptoms occur, they do so an average
of six to seven weeks after exposure but may occur two weeks to six months after exposure.
When and for how long is a person able to spread hepatitis C?
Some people carry the virus in their blood for the rest of their lives. Acute hepatitis
C infection may be followed by recovery but usually becomes chronic and causes symptoms
for years. An infected person with no symptoms can still spread hepatitis C to others.
Is there a vaccine available?
Not yet. While there are vaccines for both hepatitis A and B, they do not provide protection
against hepatitis C. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C because the virus changes easily,
making it very difficult to develop an effective vaccine.
What is the treatment for hepatitis C infection?
The Food and Drug Administration has approved drugs for treating some
persons with chronic hepatitis C. Unfortunately, treatment does not help all
persons who have hepatitis C.
A person with hepatitis C should never drink alcohol because it may cause
further damage to the liver. Check with your health care provider about tests,
regular monitoring, and vaccination for other forms of hepatitis such as
hepatitis A and B. Also, consult with your health care provider about all
medications you are taking, including nonprescription and herbal remedies, to
make sure they do not affect the liver.
Who should be tested for hepatitis C?
- Persons who ever injected illegal drugs, including those who injected
once or a few times many years ago and don’t consider themselves drug users.
- Persons who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987.
- Persons who were ever on long-term kidney dialysis.
- Persons with persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels (test
of liver's function).
- Persons who were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested
positive for hepatitis C.
- Persons who received a transfusion of blood or blood components before July 1992.
- Persons who received an organ transplant before July 1992.
- Healthcare, emergency medical, and public safety workers after needle sticks, or
mucosal exposures to blood infected with hepatitis C virus.
- Children born to mothers infected with hepatitis C.
If I have hepatitis C, how can I avoid spreading it to others?
- Do not share any needles or other drug equipment.
- Do not donate blood or organs.
- Do not share razors, toothbrushes, nail care devices, or any other personal items that might have your blood
on them.
- Let health care professionals who may be exposed to your blood know that you have
hepatitis C.
- Although sexual transmission appears to be low, inform your sexual partner that you have
hepatitis C and consider using latex condoms and barriers.
- Cover cuts or open sores on your skin.
Where can I get more information?
For more information call Communicable Disease Epidemiology at (206) 418-5500
or toll-free 877-539-4344 or
Infectious Disease and Reproductive Health at
360-236-3440, or the HIV/AIDS Hotline 800-272-2437.
Documents posted in .pdf version on the Department of Health Web site
will be made available in an alternative format on request to users who
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