Hepatitis C

Recently Answered

• QWhat should I do if I think I've been exposed to hepatitis?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  See your doctor and get yourself tested if you are at a higher risk of getting hepatitis, or if you have been exposed to the hepatitis virus. Many people do not know they are infected. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent liver damage. A medicine called hepatitis immune globulin may protect you from getting sick if taken shortly after exposure to the hepatitis A or hepatitis B virus.

  This answer is based on source information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

• QShould I talk to my doctor about my hepatitis symptoms?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  If you or your child has symptoms of hepatitis, you should talk to your doctor. Depending upon the cause of the hepatitis, symptoms may be mild to severe. Talk to your doctor about abdomen pain, nausea and vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes as well as the following severe symptoms:

  • Bloody vomit
  • Bloody or tarry stools
  • Frequent vomiting and inability to keep food in the stomach
  • Feelings of confusion

  Early diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis symptoms can help doctors prevent severe damage to the liver such as scarring of the liver (cirrhosis), liver failure, or liver cancer.

• QCan chronic hepatitis B and C be prevented?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Chronic hepatitis B
  Yes, both acute and chronic hepatitis B can be prevented. The Hepatitis B vaccine can be given to most infants, children and adults, and is the only way to prevent hepatitis B infection. You can help prevent the spread of the hepatitis B virus by avoiding the following behaviors:

  • Unprotected contact with blood and bodily fluids
  • Unprotected sex with multiple partners
  • Exposure toor frequent contact with blood
  • Giving or receive tattoos
  • Sharing needles or personal hygiene products such as razors and toothbrushes

  To protect infants from the chronic form of hepatitis B, newborns are usually given the first of three doses of the hepatitis B vaccine. The vaccination schedule is usually completed within six months of the first dose.

  Chronic hepatitis C
  There is no vaccine to prevent chronic hepatitis C infection. The best way to help prevent chronic hepatitis C infection is to avoid contact with infected blood. Do not share needles, razors, nail clippers or other personal hygiene products. Use bleach to disinfect objects and areas contaminated with blood. Practice safe sex, particularly if you have multiple partners and don't know your partners' hepatitis C status, and avoid getting piercings or tattoos unless you know the equipment is sterilized. Frequent hand washing is also recommended to help avoid infection.

• QIs there a cure for hepatitis?

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  A Dr. Jeanne Morrison, PhD , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Hepatitis B
  There is no cure for hepatitis B, acute or chronic. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and about a treatment plan that includes antiviral medications. Once infected, symptoms may or may not appear; however, progressive damage to your liver can occur.

  Hepatitis C
  Most people who receive hepatitis C medications now can be cured. The goal of treatment is to achieve a "sustained viral response" (SVR), meaning that the virus is undetectable six months after treatment is completed. People who achieve an SVR have a 97-100% chance of being virus-free long-term, so they can be considered "cured." With newer drug regimens, cure rates exceed 90% in many groups. The cure rate is slightly lower in people who have failed treatment previously.

  However, people who have been cured of hepatitis C may have a higher risk of liver problems later on, especially if they didn't receive treatment until they developed liver cirrhosis. And it is possible to become infected again.

• QIs hepatitis a sexually transmitted disease?

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  A Dr. Bonnie Lynn Wright, PhD , Geriatrics Nursing, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Hepatitis B is sexually transmitted. Vaccines are available and should be taken to prevent this particular Hepatitis. Hepatitis A is transmitted through food-borne contamination. However, it can be transmitted during any sexual activity where the mouth/tongue contacts the anus of someone who is a carrier or has Hep A. There is vaccine to prevent Hep A as well as a combined vaccine for Hep A and B together. Hep C is a blood-borne disease. It can only be transmitted sexually if the activity is rough enough to abrade the genital mucosa and allow blood transfer. Nonetheless, statistics have shown that the long term sexual partners of Hep C sufferers can become Hep C positive after 15 to 20 years. Some public health systems provide Hepatitis B vaccine free through public elementary schools with parents' consent. There is combined Hepatitis A and B vaccine that is highly recommended for men having sex with men (MSM). Oral-anal activity increases the risk of getting Hepatitis A for MSMs.

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• QWhat is hepatitis C (HCV)?

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  A St Francis Medical Center answered

  Hepatitis C is a virus that spreads from blood-to-blood contact. For example, you’re at risk for catching the virus if you abused intravenous (IV) drugs or received a blood transfusion before 1992.  Hepatitis C can affect the liver and cause other health problems. It can change how your body manages insulin, which can make you more likely to get diabetes. It can also affect the kidneys and blood vessels and cause kidney disease. It is important to get screened for Hepatitis C and receive treatment, if you have the disease.

  Trinity Health is a Catholic health care organization that acts in accordance with the Catholic tradition and does not condone or support all practices covered in this site. In case of emergency call 911. This site is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice, always seek the advice of a qualified health care provider.

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• QHow can I protect my children from hepatitis?

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  A Brigham and Women's Hospital answered

  Three shots of the hepatitis B vaccine will protect a baby against this virus, which can cause serious liver disease later in life. Your baby should receive the first shot of vaccine before leaving the hospital. The second and third shots will be given at about one to two months old and at six to 18 months old by your pediatrician. The vaccine is safe, with no serious illness related to it.

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• QWhat factors increase my risk for hepatitis C?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Your risk for hepatitis C increases if you are exposed to or have frequent contact with blood. Other factors that can increase your risk include:

  • Contact with infected blood
  • Work in the healthcare or rehabilitation fields, where exposure to blood is possible
  • Give or receive tattoos
  • Share needles or razors
  • Infected with HIV

  Transmission during sexual activity is rare, though safe sex is recommended, especially if you have multiple partners.

• QHow can I care for someone with hepatitis?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  When caring for someone with hepatitis it's important to remember that their symptoms can affect them physically, mentally and emotionally. Also remember that hepatitis A is highly contagious. Hepatitis B and C are also contagious and all three can be transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids and blood. Talk to your doctor about getting vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. Even with vaccination, do not share silverware or personal hygiene products, or drink from the same glass. Hepatitis can also cause swelling and pain in the abdomen, jaundice, fever, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and loss of appetite. Remember that hepatitis symptoms can vary in type and severity. Make sure you're there to provide emotional support, and help them find other resources, like support groups.

• QWhat is chronic hepatitis C?

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  A Diana Meeks , Family Medicine, answered on behalf of Sigma Nursing

  Chronic hepatitis C
  Chronic hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is the most severe of the hepatitis infections, causing long-term inflammation of the liver (more than six months). Over time, HCV can cause scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis), liver cancer, and liver failure. Most people do not have symptoms or know that they have the hepatitis virus until the liver is damaged.

  In rare cases, hepatitis C infection clears up on its own, but most people will require treatment with antiviral drugs. With newer drug regimens, many people can now be cured of the infection.

  Chronic hepatitis B
  Chronic hepatitis B is an infection of the liver that causes long-term swelling or inflammation, which can lead to severe liver conditions such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure and liver cancer.

  Chronic hepatitis B can be transmitted through infected bodily fluids, including semen, saliva, vaginal fluids and blood. Early symptoms of infection may or may not occur and can range from mild to flu-like. Although symptoms may not be present, people infected with hepatitis B can transmit the infection to others. There is no cure for hepatitis B in either of its forms (acute or chronic). A hepatitis B vaccine is the only way to prevent infection.