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Understanding Hepatitis C: Causes, Risks, Symptoms, and Prevention Strategies

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver, often leading to severe health issues, including chronic liver disease. This guide covers the causes of Hepatitis C, its modes of transmission, symptoms of acute and chronic stages, and the importance of testing and early detection. We also provide preventive measures to safeguard your health and that of others, emphasizing lifestyle choices that support liver health. Stay informed to protect yourself against this serious condition.

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Understanding Hepatitis C: Causes, Risks, Symptoms, and Prevention Strategies

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  1. You and Your Liver Amy V. Kindrick, M.D., M.P.H.

  2. Hepatitis is a disease of the: • Brain • Heart • Liver • Intestines

  3. Hepatitis C Is Caused By: • A virus • A bacteria • A genetic defect • Alcoholism

  4. Hepatitis C Infects: • More people than HIV • The same number of people as HIV • Fewer people than HIV

  5. Hepatitis C can be life threatening • True • False

  6. There is a vaccine for hepatitis C • True • False

  7. Hepatitis C can be spread by: • Contaminated food or water • Blood transfusions • Needle sharing • Tattooing and body piercing • Direct contact with blood (cuts, eg.) • Touching a person with hepatitis C • Sexual activity

  8. How many people with hepatitis C will develop chronic liver disease? • All • About 20% • About 50% • Between 80% and 90%

  9. Where is My Liver?

  10. Normal Liver

  11. Normal Liver and Gall Bladder

  12. The Liver Purifies Your System

  13. Storage

  14. Synthesis

  15. Transformation

  16. What Is Hepatitis? • Infection or irritation in the liver • Causes • Viruses • Medications • Toxins

  17. Is There Only One Kind of Hepatitis?

  18. What Is Hepatitis C? • Caused by a virus in the blood of people with Hepatitis C • Damaging to the liver • Spread by contact with the blood of an infected person

  19. <1 % 1–2.4 % 2.5–4.9 % 5–10 % > 10 % No data available

  20. The Hepatitis C Virus

  21. How Did I Get Hepatitis C?

  22. Groups of People at Risk For Hepatitis C • Vets (especially Viet Nam) • Cesarean section before 1990 • Mother with hepatitis C before delivery • Unexplained illness in infancy • Alcoholic • HIV-infected • Hepatitis B-infected • Prison inmates

  23. You Can’t Get Hepatitis C From • Breast feeding • Sneezing • Hugging • Coughing • Sharing cups or eating utensils • Food or water • Casual contact

  24. How Do I Know If I’m At Risk For Hepatitis C? • Ask your health care provider for a test if you • Were told that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hep C • Received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July 1992 • Received blood products before 1987 • Have ever injected drugs (even once) • Have abnormal blood tests for liver function

  25. What Are the Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis C? • Maybe none • Some or all of the following • Headache • Nausea • Vomiting • Abdominal pain • Jaundice • Weakness and fatigue • Gray stool • Dark urine

  26. What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Hepatitis C? • Often none • Fatigue • Cirrhosis • Weight loss • Jaundice • Swollen legs and abdomen • Nausea and vomiting

  27. Jaundice

  28. Healthy Liver

  29. Liver with Cirrhosis

  30. What Happens If I Get Cirrhosis?

  31. Esophageal Varices

  32. Hepatocellular Carcinoma

  33. Hepatocellular Carcinoma

  34. How Can I Keep From Getting Hepatitis C? • Don’t share needles, works, or straws • Don’t share razors, manicure tools, or toothbrushes • Wash hands before and after shooting • Avoid contact with anyone else’s blood • Use clean needles every time • Use condoms every time you have sex

  35. How Can I Take Care of My Liver? • NO ALCOHOL • See your provider regularly • Be careful with medications • Tylenol • Aspirin • Some herbs, vitamins and supplements • Get vaccinated against Hepatitis A & B

  36. Are Vitamins Always Healthy?

  37. How Can I Protect Others? • Don’t donate blood, tissue, or sperm • Clean up spilled blood with a strong disinfectant, and keep skin injuries bandaged • Don't share razors, toothbrushes, pierced earrings, or other personal items with anyone • Use condoms if you have multiple sexual partners, or when having sex with an infected person • Don't share chewing gum or pre-chew food for a baby

  38. Make certain any needles or other sharp implements for drugs, ear piercing, manicuring or tattooing are properly sterilized (with bleach for 30 seconds twice)

  39. What If I’m Pregnant? • 5 out of every 100 babies born to mothers with Hep C will be infected • Infection usually occurs around the time of birth • There is no treatment to prevent transmission

  40. Are There Any Treatments for Hepatitis C?

  41. What Else Can I Do?

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