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
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
What Transmits 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