What is the main cause of hep C?

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.

What makes you high risk for Hep C?

People with high-risk sexual behavior, multiple partners, and sexually transmitted diseases. People who snort cocaine using shared equipment. People who have shared toothbrushes, razors and other personal items with a family member that is HCV-infected.

What are the 1st signs of Hep C?

How did my wife get hep C?

Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily by exposure to blood containing the hepatitis C virus. Current research suggests that if you're in a long-term, monogamous relationship with a partner who has hepatitis C, your risk of contracting hepatitis C is quite low — unless you also have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

How long can you live with hep C without knowing?

People with an HCV infection commonly go without noticeable symptoms for as many as 20 to 30 years. Those who are infected experience no significant symptoms when they first acquire the infection, and then they can remain symptomless for years, even while the infection is causing damage to their liver and other organs.

What is #Hepatitis C? Symptoms, Causes, Transmission and How to #Test for Hepatitis From Home

Can your body get rid of Hep C on its own?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both acute and chronic infection. Acute HCV infections are usually asymptomatic and most do not lead to a life-threatening disease. Around 30% (15–45%) of infected persons spontaneously clear the virus within 6 months of infection without any treatment.

Is Hep C considered a terminal illness?

Hepatitis C is a virus that can infect the liver. If left untreated, it can sometimes cause serious and potentially life-threatening damage to the liver over many years. However, with modern treatments it's easily possible to cure the infection and most people with it will have a normal life expectancy.

What is the easiest way to get hep C?

Hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood from an infected person. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.

Is Hep C in sperm?

The hepatitis C virus lives in the blood, semen, and some other bodily fluids. Transmission occurs when particles of fluid that contains the virus enter another person's bloodstream. Experts have found the virus in the semen of some men, but it is unclear how this affects the risk of infection.

Can Hep C be transmitted through pee?

Hepatitis C usually spreads through contact with infected blood. Dried blood may carry the active virus, but it would have to enter another person's bloodstream for infection to occur. Urine, sweat, and semen do not carry enough of the virus to pass it on.

What are red flags of Hep C?

Some people experience abdominal pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, dark urine, or jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes).

What are first signs of Hep C in females?

How long after infection does Hep C show up?

The hepatitis C (HCV) window period is usually 4–10 weeks from the time of exposure. After 6 months , most people will have developed enough antibodies for an HCV test to detect. In rare cases, however, antibodies can take up to 9 months to develop.

What should you avoid if you have hep C?

Because of this, people with chronic hepatitis C should reduce the amount of iron-rich foods in their diets. These include red meats, liver, oysters, lentils, apricots and iron-fortified cereals. However, iron is an essential part of your diet so do not cut it out entirely.

What organ does Hep C damage?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. Inflammation is swelling that occurs when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can damage organs.

Can you test positive for Hep C and not have it?

If you test positive for hepatitis C antibodies, this means you have been infected with hepatitis C at some point in your life. You may have acute or chronic hepatitis C. You may not have hepatitis C at all. You can still test positive for hepatitis C antibodies, but not have an active case of hepatitis C.

Can kissing pass hepatitis?

No. Hepatitis B is not spread through touching or saliva. You can only get hepatitis B from infected blood or specific body fluids.

Can hepatitis pass through kissing?

Catching hepatitis by kissing an infected person is unlikely -- although deep kissing that involves the exchange of large amounts of saliva might result in HBV, especially if there are cuts or abrasions in the mouth of the infected person.

How did I get hep C if I don't do drugs?

Other risk factors include receiving blood or blood products (or organ transplants) before 1992, when stricter virus-control measures went into effect. Also high risks: being exposed to needlestick injuries, undergoing kidney dialysis, having HIV infection, or being born to a mother who has hepatitis C.

Can you get hep C without touching blood?

You can become infected with hepatitis C if you come into contact with the blood of an infected person. Other bodily fluids can also contain the virus, but blood contains the highest level of it. Just a small trace of blood can cause an infection.

Can you get hep C without blood contact?

People with hepatitis C often worry about giving it to others that they live with. However, it would be very hard to transmit HCV unless there is direct blood to blood contact. Things like razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers and other personal hygiene items can spread hepatitis C, but it is difficult to do so.

What are signs that Hep C is getting worse?

Which is the deadliest hepatitis?

Hepatitis Delta is considered to be the most severe form of hepatitis because of its potential to quickly lead to more serious liver disease than hepatitis B alone.

What are the stages of Hep C?

The stages of hepatitis C include: the acute stage, chronic hepatitis C, cirrhosis of the liver, and end-stage hepatitis C. Hepatitis C is an infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that leads to liver inflammation. Symptoms can be mild for many years, even while liver damage is taking place.

Does hep C always show in blood test?

► Once people have been infected, they will always have antibodies in their blood. This is true if they have cleared the virus, have been cured, or still have the virus in their blood. ► A reactive antibody test does not necessarily mean that you currently have hepatitis C and a follow-up test is needed.