Hepatitis C

HEPATITIS C What is Hepatitis C? Liver Hepatitis C, a condition that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus, is the most common liver disease and the most prevalent cause for liver transplantation in the United States. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, Hepatitis C virus lifelong condition. Did You Know? More than 3 million people in the United States live with the hepatitis C virus, but most people do not know they are infected because they do not look or feel sick Approximately 75% of people with hepatitis C do not know they have the infection Baby boomers (people born between 1945 and 1965) are 5 times more likely to have the hepatitis C virus If left untreated, hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer Normal liver HEPATITISC Liver with cirrhosis Risk Factors The virus spreads when blood enters the body of someone who is not infected The hepatitis C virus typically spreads when blood from an infected person enters the body of someone who is not infected. People who have high risk factors for hepatitis C should be routinely screened for the virus. Risk factors include: History of using illicit drugs Being a "baby boomer" According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF), all "baby boomers" should get tested for hepatitis C. This is based only on age and for this recommendation, baby boomers are defined as those born between 1945 and 1965 – but people are at risk at any age. Having HIV, dialysis treatment, or elevated liver enzymes of unknown origin Receiving a blood transfusion, blood products, or transplantation prior to 1992 Being born to a hepatitis C virus-infected mother • A needle stick injury from a known hepatitis C virus patient The former Soviet Union Originating from a geographic region where the hepatitis C virus is prevalent, such as the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, or Egypt Egypt Pakistan • Receiving tattoos from unlicensed tattoo parlors or receiving manicures and pedicures with tools that have not been properly sterilized and cleaned • In some cases, the virus has spread by sharing razors or toothbrushes - or through unprotected sexual intercourse The virus cannot be spread by sharing eating utensils, breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing Signs and Symptoms Fatigue While most people with hepatitis C do not have any signs of the disease, some people can experience mild to severe symptoms soon after being infected, Fever including: Jaundice (yellow color in the skin or eyes) • Loss of appetite • Nausea Vomiting Joint pain • Abdominal pain • Dark urine • Clay-colored bowel movements Diagnosing Hepatitis C Early detection of hepatitis C is important because there are effective treatments that can lead to full clearance. To check for hepatitis C, your doctor will: • Ask questions about your medical history • Do a physical exam • Check your liver enzymes to see if they are high • Order a blood test to assess virus exposure Hepatitis C Treatments Hepatitis C can be cleared with treatment. New oral medications became available at the end of RIBA BAVIRIN SAVID 2013 and have dramatically changed how hepatitis Capsuler E00 m Intro C is treated. Older medications, such as interferon Onterferon al Solution for Inje IMSCIL CAPSULIS 25 million U mult Smilion IU/0 and ribavirin, are rarely used and even newer medications are expected to be available in the near future. However, not everyone needs antivirals or can benefit from them. Treatment decisions are based on many factors, such as the type of virus, the condition of the liver, and other health conditions. Discuss your hepatitis C treatment options with your doctor. The future for hepatitis C treatment is very bright: • More than 40 new drugs are being tested for the treatment of the disease in the United States • Mount Sinai is conducting clinical trials with interferon-free regimens, which are new oral Sovaldi ofosbuvir) Table treatments without the side effects often associated with interferon Prevention Tips There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but you can reduce your risk of becoming infected by following these tips: 1. Do Not Share Needles or Straws Do not share needles, straws, or other equipment (e.g., cotton, spoons, water) if you inject or inhale drugs 2. Follow Safety Guidelines Follow safety guidelines if you work in the health care industry (e.g., wear protective gloves, dispose of needles) 3. Be Sure Instruments Are Sterilized Make sure the practitioner sterilizes the instruments if you get a tattoo, have your body pierced, or have acupuncture 4. Use Condoms To avoid contacting hepatitis C through sexual intercourse (including anal receptive intercourse), use a condom ©2014 The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York You are free to copy, distribute and transmit this content but you must attribute the work to the Mount Sinai Hospital, New York Mount Sinai Visit: www.mountsinai.org/hepc for more information.