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Myth: Hepatitis C is rare.

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Fact: Hepatitis C is the most common bloodborne infection in the US. The majority of with people with hepatitis C are not aware of their infection.

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The only way to know if you have hepatitis C is to get tested!

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There are two steps to hepatitis C testing: Hepatitis C Antibody Test and Viral Load Test (HCV RNA test)

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1. Hepatitis C Antibody Test: If the Hepatitis C Antibody Test is reactive it means that you have been infected with hepatitis C, but it does not mean that you are currently infected with hepatitis C. For some people, the body’s natural defenses can get rid of the virus.

2. Viral Load Test: If you have a reactive Hepatitis C Antibody Test you will need a Viral Load Test, also called a Hepatitis C RNA test. If you have both a reactive antibody test and a positive viral load test you will need to talk to a doctor about hepatitis C treatment.

 

*Sometimes these two tests are done at the same time.

 

Who should get tested for hepatitis C?​

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• Universal hepatitis C screening (new recommendations)

  • Hepatitis C screening at least once in a lifetime for all adults aged 18 or older*

  • Hepatitis C screening for all pregnant women during each pregnancy*

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• One-time hepatitis C testing regardless of age or setting prevalence among persons with recognized conditions or exposures (existing recommendations):

  • Persons with HIV

  • Persons who ever injected drugs and shared needles, syringes or other drug preparation equipment, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago

  • Individuals with certain medical conditions, including persons who ever received maintenance hemodialysis and persons with persistently abnormal ALT levels 

  • Prior recipients of transfusions or organ transplants, including persons who ever received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987, persons who received a transfusion of blood or blood components before July 1992, persons who received an organ transplant before 1992, and persons who were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection

  • Health care, emergency medical, and public safety personnel after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood

  • Children born to mothers with HCV infection

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• Routine periodic testing for persons with ongoing risk factors, while risk factors persist:

  • Persons who inject drugs and share needles, syringes, or other drug preparation equipment

  • Persons with selected medical conditions, including persons who ever received maintenance hemodialysis ​​

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* Except in settings where the prevalence of HCV infection (HCV RNA-positivity) is <0.1%

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Myth: All hepatitis C drugs have terrible side effects.

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Fact: New antiviral medications have fewer side effects and are more effective at achieving a cure.

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Hepatitis C can be treated and cured!

 

Treatment for hepatitis C has improved greatly in recent years. There are several effective medications available to treat chronic hepatitis C with few side effects. These treatments usually involve 8-12 weeks of a one-pill-a-day regimen and cure over 90% of people.

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For more information see the CDC guidelines here.