Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, liver failure, and death if untreated. Acute hepatitis C infections increased over fivefold from 2010 to 2020, mainly due to rising opioid and other drug injections. HCV often becomes chronic, but direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can cure nearly all patients and reduce long-term complications. Universal one-time screening is recommended for adults over 18 and all pregnant women, with regular testing for those with ongoing risk factors.

HCV spreads primarily through contact with infected blood, with injection drug users at the highest risk. It can also be transmitted from mother to child during birth, through unregulated tattoos or piercings, and by sharing personal items contaminated with infected blood. There is no vaccine, so prevention focuses on avoiding behaviors that spread the disease, like sharing needles. Using condoms can reduce the low risk of sexual transmission. Regular testing is essential since many with chronic hepatitis C are unaware of their infection, and effective treatments can cure the infection and prevent severe liver disease.

Reference: Hepatitis C Basic Information. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Accessed June 5, 2024. https://www.hhs.gov/hepatitis/learn-about-viral-hepatitis/hepatitis-c-basics/index.html