Can You Have Hepatitis and Not Know It?
Millions of people may have hepatitis C. Here's how to know if you’re one of them.
It is estimated that 3.5 to 5 million people have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. But since the majority of people who are infected with hepatitis C have no symptoms in early stages, more than half of people who have a chronic hepatitis C infection don’t even know they have it. The good news is that finding out if you have hepatitis C is as easy as getting a quick blood test. Here's why it's worth getting screened.
What is hepatitis C?
“Hepatitis C is a liver infection that is spread through infected blood,” said Puja Shrestha MD, an internal medicine doctor at PIH Health Los Alamitos office. Although it can be a short-term illness (acute), approximately 75-85% of people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus develop a chronic infection. Left untreated, this can result in liver damage, liver cancer, cirrhosis and even liver failure.
Symptoms typically don’t show up until advanced liver disease is present. Symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Fluid retention
- Confusion
- Yellow discoloration of eyes
- Bleeding problems
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
Even when people exhibit symptoms of hepatitis C, the symptoms can often be attributed to a number of other health conditions. For example, fatigue is a common symptom. But being tired can be related to other medical conditions or even not getting enough sleep on a regular basis.
Should you be screened for hepatitis C?
According to Dr. Shrestha, “The best way to know whether or not you have hepatitis C is to have a simple blood test.” There is a high incidence of hepatitis C in people born between 1945 and 1965 so testing is recommended in this age group even if you have no known risk factors. Since hepatitis C is spread by infected blood, screening is also recommended if you had a blood transfusion prior to 1990 (when blood started to be tested for hepatitis C), have been on hemodialysis, share needles for drug use or were incarcerated. Health care and emergency medical workers who have ever been pricked with a needle should also be tested.
How can you protect yourself against hepatitis C?
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, but there are treatments for the infection. Your doctor may recommend medication to treat chronic hepatitis C and can talk to you about what you can do to protect your liver from further damage. The first step in treating hepatitis C is to know you have it. That’s why getting tested is so important, especially because it's so easy to do.
