Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C viral infection is the most common cause for non-A, non-B cases of viral hepatitis in the community, and there is no vaccine available at this time. It is a blood-borne virus, easily transmitted when intravenous drug users share needles, through body tattoos or piercing. Transmission through sexual intercourse and from mother to baby are relatively rare, as is transmission through blood transfusion as donated blood is screened for Hepatitis C.

Although mostly asymptomatic, individuals may experience weight loss, tiredness, nausea and vomiting, fever or abdominal pain and jaundice. Persons infected with Hepatitis C are at high risk of developing chronic Hepatitis C infection (about 75%), and although usually asymptomatic, it may progress to cirrhosis in 20-30% of patients, and liver cancer. Persons who have symptoms described above, or who fall within the high risk group should take this test.