“May all be happy, may all be healed, may all be at peace and may no one ever suffer."
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that infects the liver, causing inflammation and damage. It is one of several hepatitis viruses, including hepatitis A and B, but unlike hepatitis A and B, there is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C.
HCV is transmitted through contact with infected blood, which can occur through sharing needles or other injection equipment, receiving blood transfusions before 1992, being born to a mother with HCV, or receiving a tattoo or piercing with non-sterile equipment. Sexual transmission of HCV is possible but is less common than other routes of transmission.
Many people with HCV have no symptoms and are unaware that they are infected, but some people may experience symptoms such as fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and jaundice. HCV can lead to serious liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, if left untreated.
Treatment for HCV typically involves antiviral medications, which can cure the infection in most cases. The specific treatment used depends on the genotype of the virus and the severity of liver damage. It is also important for people with HCV to avoid alcohol and other substances that can damage the liver, and to receive regular monitoring to detect any signs of liver damage or cancer.
Prevention of HCV involves avoiding exposure to infected blood, such as through needle sharing or unsafe medical practices. Using condoms during sex can also reduce the risk of sexual transmission. People who have been exposed to HCV should be tested, and those who are at increased risk for HCV should be tested regularly.