What is Hepatitis C - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

• Written by Mudit Handa

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Hepatitis C is a silent battle that comes with an unseen struggle.

Although Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne liver infection, it often presents with few noticeable symptoms. It can integrate into daily life unnoticed.

According to recent WHO estimates, 40 million individuals in India have a chronic hepatitis B infection, and 6 to 12 million have a chronic hepatitis C infection. The majority of identified acute liver failures are caused by HEV (Hepatitis E Virus), what are the primary causes of Hepatitis C?? Disinfection is crucial in preventing the spread of Hepatitis C. In line with that, let’s look into some of the necessary information about hepatitis C, tests, associated costs, and some screening guidelines.

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C, or hep C, is a viral infection that causes liver swelling, damage, and inflammation. It is contracted through exposure to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) via infected blood. Hepatitis C can manifest as either acute or chronic infections:

• Acute Hepatitis C: It is asymptomatic and doesn’t lead to a life-threatening situation in most cases. Around 15-45% of infected individuals clear the virus spontaneously within six months of infection.
• Chronic Hepatitis C: It is a long-term liver infection causing serious liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, etc. Chronic hepatitis C usually has no symptoms for many years until it gets severe, like liver damage or liver cancer.

What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

Most people don’t have symptoms of HVC, especially during Chronic infection. It doesn’t cause any symptoms until it becomes cirrhosis. But the following symptoms may arise with HCV infection-

• Yellowing of the skin, called jaundice
• Dark-colored urine
• Itchy skin
• Bleeding easily
• Bruising easily
• Fatigue
• Not wanting to eat
• Swelling in the legs
• Weight loss
• Confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech
• Fluid buildup in the stomach area
• Spider-like blood vessels on the skin

What Is a Hepatitis C Antibody Test?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that severely affects the liver. It can be chronic or acute. The Hepatitis C antibody test is a blood test to determine if an individual has been infected with HCV (Hepatitis C virus).

Hepatitis C is mainly spread by close contact with contaminated blood. This includes sharing needles, syringes, receiving blood transfusions with unscreened blood products, or undergoing other unsafe medical procedures. Below is a quick look at how exactly Hepatitis C spreads.

What Causes Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes Hepatitis C infection, which is spread through contact with infected blood. It can happen through sharing needles, syringes, blood transfusions with unscreened blood products, or other unsafe medical procedures. The virus causes inflammation of the liver, leading to both acute and chronic hepatitis. Hepatitis C infection exists in seven genotypes and 67 subtypes, and the treatment depends on the genotype.

If left untreated for many years, the infection can lead to liver cancer, liver failure, and cirrhosis. According to WHO, approximately 2,42,000 people died from Hepatitis C, mostly from hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Therefore, timely detection, regular monitoring, and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing the disease effectively.

Is Hepatitis C Contagious?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that severely affects the liver. It can be chronic or acute. The Hepatitis C antibody test is a blood test to determine if an individual has been infected with HCV (Hepatitis C virus).

Hepatitis C is mainly spread by close contact with contaminated blood. It can also happen when an individual shares syringes or needles or undergo unsupervised medical practices like blood transfusions. Below is a quick look at how exactly Hepatitis C spreads.

How Does It Spread?

The most common way for a person infected with HCV to spread the virus is through direct contact with their blood. Even if the amount of blood is not visible to the naked eye, the virus can still transmit. Transmission can occur through several methods, including:

Sharing Contaminated Items

Sharing needles or other drug injection equipment is a primary route of HCV transmission. Sharing personal medical equipment, such as glucose monitors, common items like toothbrushes, razors, and nail clippers, can also spread the infection.

Vertical Transmission (Mother to Child)

Pregnant individuals should be screened for Hepatitis C. This is because the risk of hepatitis C virus infection in infants is about 6%, which is highly preventable, provided that the guidelines are followed.

Healthcare Outbreaks

Healthcare facilities have had certain outbreaks due to inadequate infection control measures.

Intercourse with an HCV Carrier

Although rare, hepatitis C can be transmitted through sexual contact. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have a higher reported rate of HCV transmission through sexual contact.

Getting a Tattoo or Piercing in an Unsupervised Environment

Unlicensed tattoo parlours, informal surroundings, and unsterile equipment increase the risk of hepatitis C transmission.

Hepatitis C Screening Guidelines

As a standard rule, Hepatitis C screening should be required for all adults (those aged 18-79). In addition, those who are particularly vulnerable should undergo several screenings. Such individuals include:

• Infants born to individuals with Hepatitis C
• Individuals with HIV
• People who have ever snorted, inhaled, or injected any illicit drug
• Individuals who underwent organ transplants or received blood before 1992.
• Pregnant individuals with HCV.
• Patients with haemophilia who had clotting factors before 1987
• Sexual partners of a person who has been diagnosed with hepatitis C
• Emergency and health care workers who came into close contact with blood or were pricked by a needle
• Sexually active men involved with the same gender
• Individuals who have been to a jail/prison
• People who get abnormal liver tests, where the root cause isn’t detected
• People who have been on hemodialysis for a long time

Is Hepatitis C Curable?

Hepatitis C is curable with advanced treatments and direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medications. Proper treatment should be taken. Otherwise, it can develop into a lifelong infection. Early and timely treatment can prevent serious complications like liver cancer, scarring, and death. In most cases, it is completely curable. Also, one can be reinfected with the virus after being treated and cured. The cost of hepatitis C medicines is high; the overall treatment can cost hundreds of thousands of rupees. The interferon-free treatment costs $90,000 in the US and more than EUR 50,000 in the EU. Dealing with healthcare costs without financial support can strain your monetary health. So, having health insurance for Hepatitis C is like having a companion beside you during difficult times. You can cure this most common blood-borne viral infection worry-free when you have a safety net.

6 Tips to Prevent Hepatitis C

Unfortunately, a vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C has not yet been developed. The only way to ward off this illness is to refrain from doing certain actions that can trigger and spread the virus. . Some of the potential Hepatitis C protection measures are listed below.

• Quit taking illegal drugs/narcotics immediately.
• Choose a sterile studio with trained and hygienic professionals for tattoo or piercing
• Stop sharing syringes, needles, or other drug equipment.
• Practising sanitary, hygienic, and top-notch procedures in healthcare facilities.
• Avoid donors with HCV infection to get an organ transplant or blood transfusion.
• Avoid unprotected sexual activities.

Why is the Prevention of Hepatitis C Important?

No matter how fatalHepatitis C is, it can be prevented and cured if diagnosed early. Generally, the virus will take time for those with early diagnosis or new infections to progress to a long-term infection.

Nonetheless, it is important to undergo a hepatitis C test to evaluate your health status. To begin with the treatment, knowing the type and degree of the infection is essential. Depending on the results, your doctor will recommend further diagnosis and medications to reduce the damage.

Hepatitis C Treatment

Various treatment procedures can be used to treat hepatitis C. Generally, it consists of 3 easy methods:

• Prescription Drugs
• Antiviral Medications
• Extensive cases involving liver transplantation

A thorough Hepatitis C treatment cures over 95% of individuals without causing any side effects. In fact, in most cases, patients only need to take the medication (pills) for 8 to 12 weeks, and they can cure the condition.

In addition, modern medicine has produced direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), an extremely effective class of antiviral drugs that can usually cure hepatitis C.

However, before proceeding with the treatment, you must be aware of your genotype, viral load, and the extent of your liver damage. The hepatitis C medications can eliminate the virus in as many as 70% (7 out of 10) of genotype 1 carriers. 70% to 90% (7-9 out of 10) with genotypes 2 or 3 will see improvement after treatment.

Note that the time required to complete treatment will generally differ from one patient to another and from one healthcare provider to another.

Although the hepatitis C treatment medications have little to no side effects, some people are unable to tolerate the medications and have to stop taking them in the middle of their treatment.

Patients with hepatitis C must talk to their doctor to get a detailed overview of their treatment options so they may choose the one that works best for them.

How Does Health Insurance Help?

Generally, hepatitis C treatment is quite costly because it requires multiple tests and drugs. Considering the rising inflation costs, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) medicines and the other necessary medications can be highly expensive. Comprehensive care involves regular monitoring through blood tests, liver function tests, and regular screenings, all of which add to the financial burden. Moreover, some cases may require treatment for complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer, potentially leading to costly hospital stays or even liver transplants.

Under such circumstances, it is important to have medical insurance. Moreover, comprehensive health insurance coverage protects your hard-earned savings and offers a financial shield.

Care Health Insurance not only covers the costs associated with hepatitis C treatment and medications but also provides access to a wider range of cashless healthcare providers, thereby ensuring optimal care. Furthermore, Care Health Insurance facilitates preventive measures like screening and early detection, which are crucial for managing HCV effectively.

Also Read: World Hepatitis Day

Hope, Cure, Victory- New Definition for HCV

Summing up, HCV is a serious medical condition that can cause severe inflammation of the liver and can further lead to liver cancer, organ damage, cirrhosis, and liver failure. Fortunately, hepatitis C can now be cured in the majority of instances with the help of modern medications.

Moreover, while public healthcare in India can provide some level of care, you may want the most effective treatment and management of HCV. Hence, having health insurance becomes necessary for timely and effective treatment, thereby ensuring better hepatitis C treatment and reducing the financial burden.

Disclaimer: The above information is for reference purposes only. Kindly consult your general physician for verified medical advice. The health insurance benefits are subject to policy terms and conditions. Refer to your policy documents for more information.