Hepatitis C is a highly contagious liver infection that often does not present any symptoms until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage.
The number of hep C cases may be higher in developing countries, but hepatitis C also affects many individuals living in the US. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 3 million Americans are living with hepatitis C, with 17,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Below, we discuss hepatitis C, what causes it, why it is important to screen for hepatitis C, and how an early diagnosis can make a difference in your health.
What Is Hepatitis C and How Does the Infection Develop?
The hepatitis C virus attacks the liver. It is transmitted through exposure to the blood of an infected person, which can occur through sharing of needles, the use of unsterilized medical equipment, or having unprotected sex.
Individuals receiving long-term hemodialysis and those who received a blood transfusion or an organ transplant are also at risk for the virus, as are children born to infected mothers.
Once infected, the acute stage can last up to six months, and may develop into a chronic illness, which causes chronic inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis or scarring of liver tissues and liver cancer.
What Are the Symptoms of Hep C?
Initially, the majority of individuals with hepatitis C experience minimal or no symptoms for an extended period of time, which is why a lot often go undiagnosed.
However, when symptoms do manifest, they often include dark urine, fatigue, nausea, body aches, abdominal pain, flu-like symptoms, and jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes).
How Is Hepatitis C Screened and Diagnosed?
A blood test known as an hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody test is conducted. This test, also referred to as the anti-HCV test, detects the presence of antibodies in the bloodstream. Antibodies are proteins released by the body in response to an infection with the hepatitis C virus.
If the HCV antibody test yields positive results, individuals are advised to undergo a follow-up HCV RNA test. A positive HCV result is possible even after you have cleared the virus from the body. The subsequent test – a nucleic acid test for HCV RNA (or PCR test) – helps determine if there is an active infection present.
If you are found to have the virus in your blood and are infectious, a blood test to evaluate liver health may be used. If liver damage is present, a biopsy may be needed to determine the extent of the damage. A noninvasive test such as magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) can be used to assess liver stiffness.
How Does Early Intervention Make a Difference?
Early intervention and treatment for hepatitis C can help prevent the virus from causing further damage to the liver. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer, and one benefit of early medical intervention is to reduce the risk of liver cancer.
Hepatitis C is highly treatable. Direct-acting antiviral medicines (DAAs) can cure more than 95% of patients with hepatitis C. You are considered cured if there is no hepatitis C virus found in the blood for a certain number of weeks after treatment. Newer drugs used to treat hepatitis C produce better outcomes for patients – offering fewer side effects and having a shorter treatment period.
Treatment for hepatitis C also prevents the spread of the disease to others. By undergoing screening and seeking treatment early, individuals can protect their own health and the health of those around them.
Hepatitis C Treatment in Austin, TX
At Austin Gastroenterology, our board-certified GI doctors treat all gastrointestinal and liver disorders. We test and treat individuals with hepatitis C and liver disease, and are highly committed to helping improve the health and outcomes for our patients.
To make an appointment, choose and call the most convenient location for you – we have 16 spread across South Texas. You can also use our online request form to schedule your visit.
