What is hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C (also known as 'hep C') is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. It can cause serious liver disease in an infected person. The virus can spread through blood. It can also spread through sharing needles or having sex without a condom.

What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?

Most people with hepatitis C do not have any symptoms until their liver is damaged, which can take years. However, they may experience:

• aches, pains and fever
• fatigue (tiredness) and sleep problems
• nausea or vomiting
• loss of appetite
• abdominal pain
• jaundice (a yellowing of the skin and eyes)
• mood swings, anxiety and depression

Symptoms usually appear 6 to 9 weeks after exposure to the virus.

What causes hepatitis C?

You get hepatitis C when your blood comes into contact with infected blood.

Adults can catch hepatitis C from:

• sharing equipment used for injecting drugs (even if you only shared once)
• sharing drug snorting equipment such as straws
• a needlestick injury from a contaminated needle
• unclean equipment used for tattoos or piercings
• having a medical procedure using unsterile equipment
• sharing toothbrushes or razors
• having sex with someone with hepatitis C

Many new cases of hepatitis C in Australia are from the unsafe drug injection.

People who are at greater risk of getting hepatitis C include those who:

• have blood clotting conditions who received blood or blood products in Australia before 1993 (Australia has screened the blood supply for hepatitis C since 1993. This means that you are not likely to get the virus from these blood products now)
• spent a long time on dialysis
• have been infected with HIV

When should I see my doctor?

You should see a doctor if you think you may have hepatitis C.

This may be because you are experiencing symptoms or were in a situation where you may have been exposed.

How is hepatitis C diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask lots of questions and examine you. They will likely send for blood tests to look for hepatitis C in your blood and your liver function.

Blood tests can show if you have a current infection. Even if you were diagnosed recently, you may have caught hepatitis C many years ago.

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How is hepatitis C treated?

Hepatitis C can be treated with oral medicines. This medicine is available through Medicare at a lower cost. The medicine helps clear the virus.

These treatments work well and have few side effects. Treatment generally takes 2 to 3 months. You can be re-treated if your treatment does not work the first time.

During treatment, you should check with your doctor if you need to changes your other medicines or supplements. You should also ask about vaccination against hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Be sure to avoid alcohol if you have hepatitis C. If you need to take paracetamol, check with your doctor about the right dose for you.

If you have liver damage, you may also need to see a liver specialist.

What if I am pregnant?

Treatment for hepatitis C is usually not given during pregnancy, but your doctor will monitor your health and your baby's health. After birth, your baby can be tested for hepatitis C if needed, and treatment options can be discussed with you after pregnancy.

If you have hepatitis C and are pregnant, the virus can sometimes be passed to your baby, but the risk is low. Females in Australia are screened for hepatitis C as part of regular pregnancy care. Knowing your hepatitis C status helps your healthcare team manage pregnancy and birth safely and reduce the small risk of passing the virus to your baby. Your doctor may do extra blood tests and avoid some procedures during labour.

Breastfeeding is usually safe if you have hepatitis C, unless your nipples are cracked or bleeding.

What are the complications of hepatitis C?

If hepatitis C is not treated or comes back, it can lead to liver disease such as:

• cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
• liver failure
• liver cancer

If you have cirrhosis, your health team will recommend a liver scan every 6 months to check for cancer.

Can hepatitis C be prevented?

There is no vaccine to protect against hepatitis C.

You should avoid sharing needles, syringes or other equipment when injecting medication or drugs.

Avoiding blood-to-blood contact, including during sex, can help prevent infection.

If you have hepatitis C, you cannot donate blood or sperm.

Resources and support

• Hepatitis Australia has a range of helpful resources for people living with hepatitis C, including information about your rights and responsibilities.
• Visit the Liver Foundation's website for information on staying healthy with a liver disease or call their free support line on 1800 841 118 to speak to a liver nurse.
• Hepatitis NSW has resources available in an Easy Read format for people with intellectual disability.
• The National Hepatitis Infoline can direct you to confidential, free and localised viral hepatitis information and support services. Call on 1800 437 222 during their operating hours.

Languages other than English

• Hepatitis Australia has a range of information on hepatitis C available in several community languages.
• Allgood.org.au provides information on hepatitis C in languages other than English, as well as resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• LiverWELL has liver resources available in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• Hepatitis NSW has an information page on hepatitis C available for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• LiverWELL has a brochure on hepatitis C available for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.