office of viral hepatitis prevention (Ovhp)

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is found in the blood of persons who have this infection. Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. People can become infected with the hepatitis C virus during such activities as sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs, needle-stick injuries in health care settings, or being born to a mother who has hepatitis C. Less commonly, a person can also get hepatitis C virus infection through sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes or having sexual contact with a person infected with the hepatitis C virus.

How serious is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a liver disease that results from infection with the hepatitis C virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a lifelong illness. Hepatitis C can be either “acute” or “chronic.” Acute Hepatitis C virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis C virus. For most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease than can result in long-term health problems, or even death.

What can I do if my hepatitis C test is positive?

Contact your doctor, as additional testing may be needed to confirm a diagnosis, to verify if you have liver damage, and for consideration of any treatment. Hepatitis C can be cured in most cases. Additionally, if confirmed, you would be counseled on ways to care for your liver and prevent spreading HCV to others.