But, we now are seeing instances when men who have sex with men got hep C through sex. And at a scientific meeting in , researchers presented evidence that hepatitis C can be found in the rectal fluid and rectal mucosa at levels high enough to be transmissible. A small percentage of people are able to clear a hepatitis C infection without treatment. Hepatitis C is different from other kinds of hepatitis. Once you have hepatitis A or B, only with rare exceptions will you get it again. Over the long term, hepatitis C damages your liver, causing inflammation and scarring.
We do tests, such as blood tests that measure liver enzymes, an ultrasound or a special type of ultrasound called a FibroScan, or a FibroSure biomarker test to try to figure out how much damage is being caused. But you can get the same type of scarring, called cirrhosis, from drinking too much alcohol. Liver function tests might be normal even if hep C has already severely damaged your liver. The measure of fibrosis that you get from a FibroSure test is probably thrown off a bit by HIV—so it can be difficult to figure out if the test is accurate for people who are coinfected with HIV and hep C.
But people who are cured from hep C, because they were treated with medication successfully or because they cleared the infection on their own will still test positive for hep C antibodies. The way to know if you have chronic hep C—and know if you should be treated—is to do a viral load test.
If you are antibody positive, and also have hep C virus, then you need treatment. This infection leads to inflammation in the early phases and ultimately to liver damage. Many people with HCV will go undiagnosed for years or even decades.
To confirm a diagnosis, your doctor will order a blood test. HCV is one of several hepatitis viruses. HCV is a bloodborne illness. That means you can contract the virus if you come into contact with the blood of someone who has HCV. This often occurs by sharing contaminated needles or other equipment but can also arise from contaminated blood transfusions. For the majority of people with the condition, hepatitis C is curable. When untreated, HCV can ultimately cause severe health issues, including cirrhosis and death.
Honesty is always the best policy. A diagnosis can be challenging to learn. Sharing it with another person can be stressful. You may feel more comfortable having a medical professional with you to help inform your partner. Make an appointment with your healthcare provider and ask your partner to attend. Once the diagnosis is clear, the two of you can go over what it means for you, for your partner, and for the future.
Still, if your partner has HCV, catching it early will be beneficial. Early treatment is one of the best ways to slow and possibly prevent complications from HCV. Yes, you can maintain a relationship during your HCV treatment. These side effects may leave you exhausted or sick.
Date as you feel up to it. Be honest with your partner about your energy levels and why they may fluctuate. Oral sex is also considered to carry an extremely low risk of transmitting the virus. Research indicates that coinfection with HIV increases the viral load of HCV, therefore increasing the risk of you transmitting the virus to someone else when engaging in risky sexual activities. However, it is not clear whether being infected with HIV makes you more likely to become infected with hepatitis C from someone else when engaging in risky sexual activities.
CD4 cells are a type of white blood cell that fights infection. The Hepatitis C Trust is a registered charity. We have adopted the Information Standard which means we are committed to providing reliable and evidence-based information. Twitter Facebook Vimeo SoundCloud. Hepatitis C Trust. Healthcare workers, nurses and laboratory technicians are at increased risk because they are in regular close contact with blood and bodily fluids that may contain blood.
Page last reviewed: 27 October Next review due: 27 October Injecting drugs People who inject drugs, including illegal recreational drugs and performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids , are at the highest risk of becoming infected with hepatitis C.
Less common causes Unprotected sex Hepatitis C may be transmitted during sex without using a condom unprotected sex , although this risk is considered very low. If your partner has hepatitis C, you should be tested for the condition. Blood donations before September Since September , all blood donated in the UK is checked for the hepatitis C virus. Blood transfusions and treatment abroad If you have a blood transfusion or medical or dental treatment overseas where medical equipment is not sterilised properly, you may become infected with hepatitis C.
Sharing toothbrushes, scissors and razors There's a potential risk that hepatitis C may be passed on through sharing items such as toothbrushes, razors and scissors, as they can become contaminated with infected blood. Tattooing and body piercing There is a risk that hepatitis C may be passed on by using tattooing or body piercing equipment that has not been properly sterilised. Mother to child There is a small chance that a mother who is infected with the hepatitis C virus will pass the infection on to her baby.
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