When someone is first infected with the hepatitis c virus, they can have a very mild illness with few or no symptoms or a serious condition requiring hospitalization. It is recommended for all children, travelers to some foreign countries, and people who are at risk of complications from hepatitis a infection. The hepatitis b foundation has created a variety of materials for those seeking more information about hepatitis b. Roughly 15% 25% of people with chronic hepatitis b will develop serious liver conditions, such as cirrhosis or scarring of the liver or liver cancer. When the liver is inflamed or damaged, its function can be affected. Hepatitis is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis virus hv. In the united states, viral hepatitis is usually caused by the hepatitis a, b, or c virus. It is caused by the hepatitis b virus hbv, which attacks liver cells and can lead to cirrhosis scarring, liver failure, or liver cancer.
Fact sheet women and hepatitis c key facts dot h tothe enters for disease ontrol and prevention estimates that 2. Our fact sheets are available in an easytoprint pdf format. Of those with chronic hcv, 15% will develop hepatocellular carcinoma hcc. Acute hepatitis b infection is a shortterm illness that can lead to fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, jaundice yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, clay. All the fact sheets are written specifically for patients in easy to read language. The following is from the centers for disease control and prevention cdc hepatitis c website. All children 018 should be vaccinated plus adults in highrisk groups injection drug users, men who have sex with men, sex or household contacts of a chronically infected person, health care and public safety workers, people seeking treatment for a sexually transmitted disease, unvaccinated adults with diabetes mellitus who are aged 19 through 59. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections all can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis a vaccines were recommended in the united states beginning in 1996. Diagnosis is based on a laboratory test for hepatitis c. Chronic hepatitis c is a serious disease that can result in longterm health problems, including liver damage, liver failure, and liver cancer. Of individuals exposed to hcv as adults, 85% will develop chronic hepatitis c. The disease can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a severe illness.
Hepatitis c is a contagious liver infection caused by the hepatitis c virus. Education to reduce risk behaviors among persons with chronic hbv infection. Hepatitis b fast facts everything you need to know in 2 minutes or less. Division of viral hepatitis, national center for hivaids, viral hepatitis, std, and tb prevention. Hepatitis a fact sheet new york state department of health. The role of the liver is to keep the bodys complex internal chemistry in balance. Department veterans health administration hepatitis a hepatitis b hepatitis c a virus that causes sickness to the liver goes away in about 2 months a virus that causes sickness to the liver usually goes away after several months if it does not go away, it can cause. Recommendations for prevention and control of hcv infection and hcvrelated chronic disease. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. See testing informationhepatitis c fact sheet what is the treatment and medical management for hepatitis c. You can become infected with hepatitis c if you come into contact with the blood of an infected person. Hepatitis c treatment factsheet harvoni sofosbuvir.
The abcs of hepatitis for health professionals hepatitis a. Is a liver infection caused by hep a virus that makes people sick but only for weeks. When the liver is inflamed or otherwise damaged, its function can be affected. For more information about anything in this factsheet, phone the. Hepatitis c is a blood borne infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis c virus hcv. The hepatitis b foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to finding a cure and improving the quality of life for those affected by hepatitis b worldwide. Acute hepatitis c is a shortterm illness that occurs in the first six months after someone is exposed to the virus. Many people with hepatitis c do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. Although chronic infection and viremia have been documented, histologic evidence is rare. Hv is spread when blood from a person with hv enters the blood of someone who is not infected. Hepatitis c fact sheet health resources and services.
It is the most common bloodborne infection in the united states. People with hepatitis c may not show any symptoms, or the symptoms may be so mild that they are not noticeable. Viral hepatitis hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Since hiv infection is spread primarily through sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs on this website may address these topics. Hepatitis c is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis c virus. Hepatitis g virus hgv is a rare cause of hepatic inflammation. The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and. There are other viruses that cause inflammation of the liver including hepatitis a, b, d and e. Fact sheets about hivaids treatment information, the prevention of mothertochild transmission, and hiv treatment side effects. At the end of 2016, there were an estimated 227,300 people in australia living with chronic hepatitis c hep c. Fact sheet hepatitis c in the who european region although the production cost of daas is low, these medicines remain very expensive in many high and middleincome countries. Hepatitis c hepatitis c is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis c virus.
The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. It is important that all persons who are hepatitis c positive be linked to care and evaluated by their provider. Chronic hepatitis c is a longterm illness that occurs when the virus remains in a persons body. Hepatitis c virus hcv va is a national leader in hepatitis c testing, care, and treatment. Hepatitis c and women pdf spanish pdf hepatitis c magnet pdf hepatitis screening bookmark. Hepatitis a is a contagious liver disease that is a result of infection with the hepatitis a virus. In most cases, hepatitis c causes no noticeable symptoms until the liver has been significantly damaged. There is a vaccine that will prevent hepatitis a infection. Hepatitis c is a virus that can infect and damage the liver. Hepatitis b is the most common serious liver infection in the world.
Most people who have hv develop a chronic, lifelong, infection. Hcv testing va has higher rates of birth cohort screening people born between 19451965 and hcv reflex confirmatory testing than any other large health care system in the us. It was approved in europe in november 2014 for treatment of adults with genotype 1 or 4 chronic. Several middle and highincome countries have succeeded in negotiating lower prices, but. Acute hepatitis refers to the first several months after someone is infected. Hepatitis c general fact sheet pdf spanish pdf bloodtoblood hepatitis c. In most cases, acute infection leads to chronic infection. About the hepatitis b foundation 2018 the hepatitis b vaccine. Hepatitis c fact sheets viral hepatitis and liver disease. Hepatitis a can cause liver failure and death, although.
Hepatitis c is a long term infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis c virus. For more information about anything in this factsheet, phone the hepatitis infoline on 1800 803 990 or go to au or contact the clinical nurse specialist department of. Pre or postexposure prophylaxis to prevent hbv infection hbvhdv superinfection. Hepatitis b is a liver disease that can cause mild illness lasting a few weeks, or it can lead to a serious, lifelong illness. A healthcare provider can determine if a person has hepatitis a by discussing his or her symptoms and taking a blood sample. In canada an estimated 242,500 people are infected with hepatitis c, and about 1 in 5 people do not know they are infected. It is a combination pill containing sofosbuvir sold separately as sovaldi plus ledipasvir.
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