What is Hepatitis?

Liver (hepa) + Inflammation (titis) = Hepatitis

Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus that causes your liver to become inflamed, (swollen, larger than normal)

There is no cure or vaccine for Hepatitis C

Disease Progression:

1: Infection

2: Inflammation (swelling of the liver)

3: Fibrosis (scar tissue begins to develop throughout the liver)

4: Cirrhosis (scarring becomes permanent, the liver shrinks and hardens)

5: Liver cancer or liver failure

Acute Infection: 10-15% will have an infection for a period less than 6 months

Chronic Infection: 85% will develop chronic infections

Transmission:

Hepatitis C is contracted from blood to blood transmission. The blood of an infected person must come into contact with the bloodstream of an uninfected person, such as through a cut.

How the virus can be spread:

Hepatitis C can be spread by:

The sharing of needles, syringes, straws, pipes, and other drug gear (like spoons, cotton, water, tie offs)

Sharing of tattoo or body piercing equipment

Sharing of personal hygiene items, (toothbrush, floss, nail clippers, razor)

Receiving contaminated blood or organs prior to 1992

Sexual intercourse

Mother to child during the birthing process

Symptoms of the disease:

Unfortunately many individuals who are infected are unaware because they have yet to experience any symptoms.

Symptoms can include

• Fever, chills, night sweats
  
• Fatigue
  
• Muscle and joint pain
  
• Nausea, vomiting, lack of an appetite
  
• Pain in the abdomen
  
• Sleep disturbances
  
• Weakness
  
• Jaundice
  

What treatment is available?

The standard treatment for Hepatitis C is a combination of two drugs: Interferon and Ribavirin

Interferon is a synthetic version of a natural protein your body produces to fight off viruses. It is given in the form of an injection, once a week

Ribavirin is an antiviral medication taken in the form of a pill taken twice a day.

Testing:

You must ask your health care provider to be tested for Hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C antibody test: a blood test that detects the presence of Hepatitis C antibodies in your blood. It can not tell you when or how the infection occurred. It can take up to 6 months for the antibodies to appear in your blood. Therefore, it may be necessary for you to be retested 6 months after your initial test.

You can ask your family doctor, or the health unit for a Hepatitis C antibody test.

Where can I turn to for help?

For more information, contact Steve Lamb at sscacnba@vianet.ca

Other information is available through the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, or by contacting your family doctor.