STBBI Basics: Hepatitis C

STBBI Basics: Hepatitis C

What is Hepatitis?

Hepatitis C is a liver infection and, in most cases, preventable and curable.6 However, in Canada, hepatitis C is still responsible for more deaths than any other infectious disease and in 2017, it was estimated that at least one individual was infected with HCV every hour.6

Hepatitis = Inflammation of the liver

Hepatitis A, B, and C are the infections you've probably heard about

Hepatitis B and C are infections that can become chronic

HCV in Canada

HCV in Canada

Hepatitis C

Transmitted primarily through blood

Most people initially have mild or no symptoms

About 20-25% recover without treatment

Those who don’t clear the virus are at risk of developing liver injury, cirrhosis, and liver cancer

Treatment can cure the virus and works for many people

There is no vaccine


Hep C Symptoms

Hep C Symptoms

What Transmits Hep C ?

What Transmits Hep C ?

What Does Not Transmit Hep C?

What Does Not Transmit Hep C?

Hepatitis A

Transmitted when feces from a person with the virus contacts the mouth of another person

Most people have mild or no symptoms.

Generally clears within two months and serious complications are rare

Almost all people clear the virus on their own

There is no treatment

There is a vaccine


Hepatitis B

Transmitted through blood and other bodily fluids like semen and vaginal fluids

No symptoms in most cases. Most people (90-95%) clear the virus on their own

5% are at risk of developing liver injury, cancer, and cirrhosis

Treatment does not cure the infection

There is a vaccine