Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection
What is my Liver?
Your liver is a large and important organ in your body
Where is my Liver?
Your liver is located behind the lower right part of your ribs
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
What is 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, almost 4 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.
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
• 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
Talk with your health care provider if
• 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
• 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
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
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.
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.
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 health care provider about getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and B.
Hepatitis C causes severe liver disease in everyone who has it.
True or False?
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.
You can only get hepatitis C by injecting drugs.
True or False?
FALSE. 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.
Talk with your provider about getting tested for hepatitis C if
• 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
• 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
Hepatitis C is spread through dirty food and water.
True or False?
FALSE. 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.
There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.
True or False?
TRUE. 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.
I can protect myself from getting hepatitis C.
True or False?
TRUE. 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
As a veteran, I can be tested for hepatitis C at the VA.
True or False
TRUE. 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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