Hepatitis C (HCV) and HIV/AIDS

Table of Contents

• What Is Hepatitis?
• What Is Hepatitis C?
• How Is HCV Spread?
• Prevention of HCV
• Testing for HCV
• Women and Hepatitis C
• HIV and HCV Co-Infection
• Taking Care of Yourself

What Is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the liver. Alcohol, drugs (including street drugs, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications), poisons, and several viruses can all cause hepatitis. Viral hepatitis is the term used for any virus that causes inflammation of the liver.

Signs of hepatitis include:

• Jaundice (yellowing of the skin, eyes, and lining of the mouth)
• Dark-colored urine
• Stool that appears pale and clay-like
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• General aching
• Nausea
• Diarrhea

What Is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that in 2007 there were 17,000 new HCV infections in the US. Worldwide, it estimates that 40 million people have chronic (long-lasting) HCV infection, including 3.2 million Americans.

Approximately one out of four HIV-negative people clear HCV from their bodies without medical treatment within the first six months of becoming infected. For those living with HIV (HIV+), about one in five people will get rid of the virus without treatment. The majority of people do not clear HCV and go on to develop chronic infection.

Chronic HCV may not cause any symptoms for 10 years or more. However, even without symptoms, it can cause serious liver damage leading to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), liver failure, and death. In fact, HCV is one of the most common causes of liver disease and viral hepatitis is the number one reason for liver transplants in America.

How Is HCV Spread?

HCV is spread in the following ways:

• Sharing injection needles or 'works'
• Sharing needles that are used to apply tattoos
• Receiving a transfusion of blood, blood products, or organs before 1992
• Having unprotected sex with someone who has HCV
• Passing the virus from an infected pregnant woman to her baby (less common)
• Sharing personal care items that may come in contact with another persons blood, such as razors or toothbrushes (less common)

Prevention of HCV

Unfortunately there is still no vaccine to prevent you from being infected with HCV. However, there are vaccines for two other types of hepatitis: A and B. It is strongly recommended that people with HCV get hepatitis A and B vaccinations as early as possible. For more information on hepatitis A and hepatitis B, see our info sheets.

HCV is not commonly passed from a pregnant woman to her baby. The risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) is about 5 percent. Studies have found that the risk for MTCT of HCV is three to four times higher in women with HIV. There is currently no known treatment that will prevent the transmission of HCV from mother to child.

The best way to prevent HCV infection is to avoid being exposed to blood that is infected with HCV. Do not share equipment to use drugs and make sure tattoo artists use sterile needles. Practicing safer sex is also a good idea; you can find tips to protect yourself in our Safer Sex info sheet.