Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C - The Basics

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that affects the liver, causing inflammation. This can prevent the liver from functioning properly. Hepatitis C has six different types; these different types are known as genotypes and are numbered 1 - 6. It is important to ascertain the particular genotype if Hepatitis C is detected as the different types may require a different treatment approach.

How is Hepatitis C Contracted?

The most common route of infection with Hepatitis C is the sharing of needles between injecting drug users. There is a small risk of infection with sexual activity and some sexual activities carry a higher risk. Around 7% of HIV infected men who have sex with men have had a Hepatitis C co-infection diagnosed. There is a small risk in sharing notes if you are an inhaling user of drugs such as cocaine. There is also a small risk from sharing utensils that may contain traces of blood such as razors and toothbrushes, as the virus can survive for around 4 days outside the body.

Hepatitis C Symptoms

Most people will have absolutely no symptoms or symptoms so mild that they are not detected during the acute phase. This does not mean that these people are not infectious during the acute phase - they are. Around 20% of people with Hepatitis C will clear the infection within six months but 80% will go on to develop chronic Hepatitis C. Where symptoms are present in the chronic phase, these could include:

• Nausea
• Lack of appetite
• Fatigue
• Muscle and joint aches
• Concentration and memory impairment

About 30% of people with chronic Hepatitis C can develop cirrhosis of the liver over a long period of time. A small number of infected people will develop liver cancer.

Hepatitis C - The Test

We can check for Hepatitis C from a tiny blood sample that you collect at home using a finger prick. The sample is very easy to collect and we can have results for you in 4 hours of the sample being received at our lab. We detect for the Hepatitis C antibodies. If these antibodies are detected then further tests would be required to determine if the virus is still active and the particular genotype if the virus is determined to be active.

Hepatitis C can be detected from as early as 9 days post exposure. It can take up to 180 days for the antibodies to appear so retests may be necessary. In most cases, the antibodies are detectable between 45 and 65 days.

Hepatitis C Treatment

Patients with Hepatitis C must be referred to a specialist and the treatment will depend on the genotype. There have been significant developments in this area of medicine in recent years and there are some excellent treatment options available.

Hepatitis B

The STI Clinic can also test for Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a virus that also affects the liver but it is much easier to contract and most people recover. To find out more about Hepatitis B, please go to our Hepatitis B page.