Physical signs
Tests and treatments
Babies
Breastfeeding
Hepatitis C virus (HCV or 'hep C') can cause an infection of the liver that may lead to long term health problems. Hepatitis C used to be called 'non A - non B' hepatitis and caregivers were aware of its presence as early as the 1970's, but it was not specifically identified until 1987. A blood test to detect hepatitis C was first developed in 1990. Australia has screened all blood and organ donations for hepatitis C since February 1990. This has virtually eliminated contracting the hepatitis C virus through a blood transfusion, or by receiving other blood or body products.
There are different strains of hepatitis C and a person may be infected (or re-infected) by the different strains. Hepatitis C is a notifiable disease within Australia and is reported by health professionals to the Department of Health's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). These reports do not contain information that identifies an individual person. With the increased testing for hepatitis C, more and more cases are being discovered each year. In 2000, there were 20, 010 cases of Hepatitis C reported in Australia. It is thought that between 1 and 4% of pregnant women could carry the hepatitis C virus.
Hepatitis C can be passed onto others by coming in contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis C can be transmitted through:
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Sharing needles when injecting drugs. |
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Sharing equipment and dyes with amateur tattooing and body piercing. |
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Professional dealings with infected blood (for example needle stick injuries or blood splashes). |
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Sharing toothbrushes or razors of an infected person in the same household, or touching open wounds. |
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Child to child transmission through open sores or wounds. |
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Contact with another's blood through sporting activities. |
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Having received a blood donation or blood products before February 1990 in Australia. |
The transmission of hepatitis C through sex is very uncommon. If it happens, it is believed to be as a result of blood-to-blood contact during sex, for example if the woman is menstruating. However, the risk of transmitting hepatitis C sexually is possibly increased during the initial acute phase of infection, which can last for up to six months after catching the virus.
Transmission from mother to baby during pregnancy and at birth is thought to be very low risk (about 5 to 10%) and there is no evidence that a baby can be infected with hepatitis C through breast milk.
Hepatitis C is
NOT spread by ordinary social contact such as hugging, kissing, shaking hands, sharing food, plates, cups and glasses, using the same shower and toilet facilities or using the same washing machine.
NOTE:Be aware that up to 50% of people who find out they have hepatitis C cannot identify any risk factors or reasons as to why they have become infected.