1 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection

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Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Infection

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)

Infection

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The LiverThe Liver

Your liver is a large and important organ in your body

Your liver is located behind the lower rightpart of your ribs

What is my liver?

Where is my liver?

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What does my liver do?• Stores vitamins, sugars, fats and other nutrients

from the food that you eat• Builds chemicals that your body needs to stay

healthy• Breaks down harmful substances, like alcohol

and other toxic (poisonous) chemicals• Removes waste products from your blood • Makes sure that your body has just the right

amount of other chemicals that it needs

The LiverThe Liver

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Viral HepatitisViral Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a disease that affects the liver. It is often caused by viruses such as the

hepatitis A virus (HAV) hepatitis B virus (HBV) hepatitis C virus (HCV)

According to government estimates, almost4 million people in the U.S. have been infected with the hepatitis C virus. Veterans seem to have a higher rate of hepatitis C virus infection than others.

What is hepatitis?

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Types of Viral HepatitisTypes of Viral Hepatitis

A B C D E

Source of virus Feces Blood/blood-derived body

fluids

Blood/blood-derived body

fluids

Blood/blood-derived body

fluids

Feces

Route of transmission

Fecal-oralPercutaneous permucosal

Percutaneous permucosal

Percutaneous permucosal

Fecal-oral

Chronic infection

No Yes Yes Yes No

PreventionPre/post-exposure

immunization

Pre/post-exposure

immunization

Blood donor screening; risk

behavior modification

Pre/post-exposure

immunization; risk behavior modification

Ensure safe drinking water

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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How Is the Hepatitis C Virus Spread?How Is the Hepatitis C Virus Spread?

The hepatitis C virus is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. Some of the ways that people have been infected include having

• had a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992• a clotting factor problem, and being given a blood product before 1987

• used a contaminated needle to inject drugs like heroin or cocaine, even if it was only once, many years ago

• been on long-term kidney dialysis[continued]

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How Is the Hepatitis C Virus Spread?How Is the Hepatitis C Virus Spread?

The hepatitis C virus is spread through contact with the blood of an infected person. Some of the ways that people have been infected include having

• been a health care worker and having had contact with blood in the workplace, especially through needle stick injuries

• been born to a woman who had hepatitis C when she gave birth to you

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How Can I Decide If I Am at Risk for Hepatitis C?


• you wish to be tested, or • you are a Vietnam-era veteran • you had a blood transfusion

before 1992 • you have injected drugs (past or present)• you have unexplained liver disease • you have unexplained/abnormal ALT levels • you have a history of drinking alcohol

excessively [continued]

Talk with your VA health care provider if

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• your skin or mucous membranes have been exposed to another person's blood

• you have had multiple sexual partners • you were on hemodialysis • you have tattoos or repeated body piercings • you have a history of snorting cocaine

Talk with your VA health care provider if

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What Are Some Ways in Which the Hepatitis C Virus Is NOT Spread?

What Are Some Ways in Which the Hepatitis C Virus Is NOT Spread?

The hepatitis C virus is not spread by

•holding someone’s hand •hugging or kissing someone•being coughed or sneezed on•sharing eating utensils or food•eating food or drinking water•donating blood

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What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C?What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C?

Symptoms of hepatitis C are usually very mild. You may not have any symptoms at all. Even though hepatitis C might not make you feel sick, it is still a serious illness. In most cases, hepatitis C never goes away. Over time, it can cause other problems, including cirrhosis and liver cancer.

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What Is Cirrhosis?What Is Cirrhosis?

Cirrhosis, (pronounced "sir-o-sis"), is a medical term that means “scarring of the liver." When you have cirrhosis, large parts of your liver are damaged. Because it has been damaged, your liver may not work as well as it should.

Cirrhosis can be very dangerous if it is not treated properly.

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Can I Get a Vaccine Against Hepatitis C?Can I Get a Vaccine Against Hepatitis C?

There is not a vaccine that will keep you from getting hepatitis C. There are vaccines that can keep you from getting other kinds of hepatitis, such as A and B.

Ask your VA health care provider about getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.

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How Can I Prevent Myself from Gettingor Spreading the Hepatitis C Virus?

How Can I Prevent Myself from Gettingor Spreading the Hepatitis C Virus?

Don’t inject drugsIf you can’t stop, use a clean needle every time, and never share your needle or works with anyone else.

Practice safe sexUse a latex barrier, such as a rubber (condom), to prevent the spread of other sexually transmitted diseases.

If you are a health care worker, observe standard precautionsHandle needles and other sharps safely.

Don’t share personal items that might have blood on themDon’t share items such as razors, toothbrushes, or personal medical supplies.

Talk with your health care provider about hepatitis C

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Are There Medicines to Treat Hepatitis C?Are There Medicines to Treat Hepatitis C?

There are treatments for hepatitis C. However, these treatments are not right for everyone. Treatments for hepatitis C that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include

interferon by itself(called interferon monotherapy)

interferon combined with ribavirin(called combination therapy)

long-acting interferon(called pegylated interferon)

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Test Your Knowledge of Hepatitis C

Test Your Knowledge of Hepatitis CQuiz

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Hepatitis C Quiz Hepatitis C Quiz

Hepatitis C causes severe liver disease in everyone who has it.True or False?

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Hepatitis C causes severe liver disease in everyone who has it.True or False?

While hepatitis C causes some liver disease in almost everyone who has it, the disease is usually not severe. A person with hepatitis C needs to see a doctor regularly to make sure that his/her infection isn’t getting worse.

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You can have hepatitis C and not feel sick.True or False?

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You can have hepatitis C and not feel sick.True or False?

You can have hepatitis C for many years and not feel any symptoms at all. Or you might mistake your symptoms for something else. The only way your doctor can tell if you might have hepatitis C is to do a test on your blood.

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You can only get hepatitis C by injecting drugs.True or False?

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It’s true that if you share needles or works to inject drugs, or if the needle you use isn’t brand new, you have a high chance of getting infected with the hepatitis C virus. But that isn’t the only way you can get hepatitis C.

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you wish to be tested, or you are a Vietnam-era veteran you had a blood transfusion before 1992 you have injected drugs (past or present) your skin or mucous membranes have been

exposed to another person's blood you have had multiple sexual partners [continued]

Talk with your VA provider about getting tested for hepatitis C if

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you were on hemodialysis you have tattoos or repeated body piercings you have a history of snorting cocaine you have unexplained liver disease you have unexplained/abnormal ALT levels you have a history of drinking alcohol excessively

Talk with your VA provider about getting tested for hepatitis C if

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Hepatitis C is spread through dirty food and water.True or False?

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The hepatitis C virus is mainly spread through the blood. The hepatitis A virus is spread through dirty food and water.

Because the hepatitis C virus is spread mainly through the blood, you don’t have to worry about getting it through casual contact.

Hepatitis C is spread through dirty food and water.True or False?

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There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.True or False?

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There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.True or False?

Doctors are trying to find a vaccine against hepatitis C. Until they do, the best way to protect yourself from hepatitis C is to follow all the suggestions already mentioned. If you think you are at risk for hepatitis C, it might be a good idea to get the hepatitis A and/or hepatitis B vaccines.

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I can protect myself from getting hepatitis C.True or False?

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I can protect myself from getting hepatitis C.True or False?

There are lots of things you can do to keep from getting hepatitis C. The most important thing is to avoid other people’s blood, or things that might have other people’s blood on them. Here are some examples:

Don’t inject drugs Practice safe sex If you are a health care worker, observe standard,

safety precautions Don’t share personal items that might have blood

on them such as razors, toothbrushes, or personal medical supplies

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As a veteran, I can be tested for hepatitis Cat the VA.True or False?

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As a veteran, I can be tested for hepatitis Cat the VA.True or False?

Any veteran who wants a test for hepatitis C can get one, just by making an appointment. The test is very simple and you can find out the results within a week or two.

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For More InformationFor More Information

• Call Your Local VA Medical Center

• Visit the VA Hepatitis C Web Sitewww.va.gov/hepatitisc

http://www.va.gov/hepatitisc

34June 2001

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1 Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection