Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.
The liver is a vital organ that processes nutrients, filters the blood, and fights infections. When the liver is idamaged, its function can be affected. Heavy alcohol use, toxins, some medications, and certain medical conditions can cause hepatitis. However, hepatitis is often caused by a virus.
Symptoms of acute hepatitis can include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, light-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice.
(source: cdc.gov)
Did you know?
There are several different viruses that can cause hepatitis; the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C are leading causes of liver cancer in the United States.
Both hepatitis A and hepatitis B are preventable with safe and effective vaccines, and hepatitis C is curable with prescribed treatment.
CDC recommends all adults through age 59 and adults age 60 or older with risk factors get vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. If you are age 60 or older and do not have risk factors, you may choose to get vaccinated.
About 66% of people with hepatitis B are unaware of their infection and about 40% of people living with hepatitis C do not know they are infected.
CDC recommends all adults get tested for hepatitis B and hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime and pregnant women get tested during each pregnancy. Getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis B or hepatitis C.