Hepatitis C is one of the most common serious liver infections in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, an estimated 2.4 million Americans are currently living with hepatitis C.

What Is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is one of five main types of viral hepatitis lettered A through E, with a different virus responsible for each type. Hepatitis C causes inflammation, or swelling, that can damage the liver.

In some cases, hepatitis C is an acute illness that clears up on its own after a short recovery time. However, in more than half of cases the infection stays in the body for six months or longer, at which point it develops into long term, or chronic hepatitis C. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can lead to liver disease and other serious health problems.

Causes of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is transmitted through contact with blood or other body fluids from an infected person.

Blood transfusions and organ transplants were once a source of HCV transmission, but thanks to screening procedures the risk is now extremely low. Sometimes HCV can be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth. It is also possible to spread HCV through sexual contact, but it is uncommon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common way HCV is passed from person to person is sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs.

Signs and Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Acute HCV often does not cause any symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they can range from mild to severe and may include:

• abdominal pain
• dark urine
• fatigue and weakness
• fever
• jaundice, or yellowing of skin and eyes
• joint and muscle pain
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting

When HCV develops into a chronic infection, symptoms of cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver, can develop, such as:

• abdominal pain
• easy bleeding and bruising
• enlarged spleen
• fluid accumulation in the abdomen
• internal bleeding due to enlarged or swollen abdominal veins
• itchy skin

In addition, liver damage due to hepatitis C increases the risk of developing liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma.

How Is Hepatitis C Diagnosed?

• Blood tests can detect HCV and determine the extent of any liver damage
• Imaging studies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound elastography may be used to measure liver stiffness, size and shape, as well as monitor blood flow through the liver
• Liver biopsy can confirm a diagnosis of hepatitis C as well as detect the severity of liver damage

Prevention of Hepatitis C

Vaccines are available to prevent some other forms of viral hepatitis, but currently there is no vaccine for HCV. The most effective way to prevent hepatitis C is to avoid behaviors that spread HCV, including:

• not injecting drugs or sharing needles and other drug equipment
• not receiving tattoos or body piercings in unsterile conditions
• not sharing personal items such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers and body jewelry

Treatments for Hepatitis C

Early diagnosis and treatment for treatment for hepatitis C is vital to prevent liver damage and complications.

Most cases of chronic HCV can be cured with oral medications that clear the virus from the body. Options may include:

• combination drugs such as Harvoni, which blends the two DAA medications ledipasvir and sofosbuvir
• direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs, which attack a specific target on the virus
• ribavirin, an antiviral drug