Facts
About Hepatitis C Virus
Hepatitis is
a general term used to describe inflamation (swelling) of the liver.
Alcohol, certain chemicals or drugs, and viruses such as hepatitis
A, B, C, D, E and G may cause hepatitis.
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Hepatitis C is a serious, often fatal disease, caused by a virus that infects and attacks the liver. HCV is more common than hepatitis B and ranks slightly below alcoholism as a cause of liver disease. |
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However, HCV is not as infectious as HBV because there are generally lower levels of the hepatitis C virus in the blood than of the hepatitis B virus. |
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HCV is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact — most commonly through shared needles. The risk of transmitting HCV through sexual contact appears to be low, but precautions should be taken anyway. HCV cannot be transmitted by casual contact such as shaking hands or sharing bathroom facilities. |
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Up to 180,000 people may become infected with HCV each year in the U.S. |
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Transmission of hepatitis C is preventable:
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HOWEVER, unlike hepatitis B, currently there is NO VACCINE for hepatitis C. And also unlike HBV, there is no drug to prevent HCV infection after an exposure. |