Hepatitis C Resources for Health Care Professionals

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Hepatitis C Virus

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is primarily transmitted through exposure to infectious blood or body fluids that contain blood. HCV infection can cause both acute and chronic liver disease. Testing and treatment can prevent complications and interrupt transmission. More than 96% of hepatitis C cases can be cured with simple, well-tolerated treatments.

Learn more about hepatitis C transmission and prevention.

Clinical Features

HCV infection can lead to both acute and chronic liver disease. Many people with acute or chronic hepatitis C do not look or feel sick and don't know they are infected. If the patient does present with symptoms, they are usually mild and vague. Less than half of people infected with HCV clear it from their bodies without treatment.

Learn more about the clinical signs and symptoms of hepatitis C.

Testing and Screening for HCV

Testing patients for hepatitis C is important because nearly half of people with hepatitis C are unaware of their infection, and many people with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. Clinicians should screen all adults aged 18 and older for hepatitis C at least once, and all pregnant persons during each pregnancy. CDC also recommends more frequent testing for people with recognized risk factors or exposures.

Learn more about types of HCV tests and the recommended testing sequence.

Reporting Hepatitis C

Health professionals in Vermont are required to report hepatitis c lab test results to the Vermont Department of Health.

Learn more about infectious disease reporting to the Vermont Department of Health.

Treatment

Hepatitis C can be cured. Treatment prevents transmissions, saves lives, reduces costs, and is recommended for almost all people diagnosed with HCV. More than 95% of people infected with hepatitis C can be cured with a simple, well-tolerated, 8-12 week course of oral medication. There is no need to wait for potential spontaneous viral resolution to begin treatment.

Learn more about clinical care of hepatitis C and treatment options.

Counseling Patients with HCV

Clinicians should talk to their patients diagnosed with HCV about treatment, healthy habits, liver care, transmission and reinfection prevention, and potential risks. Clinicians should discuss with their patients how to stay healthy during treatment by:

Eating a well-balanced diet
Exercising regularly
Avoiding excessive alcohol intake
Talking to a clinician before taking prescription drugs or nutritional supplements
Getting tested for HIV and hepatitis B
Getting vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B
Having regular liver checks (every 3-6 months) if diagnosed with cirrhosis

In addition, clinicians should counsel patients to avoid HCV transmission during treatment and avoid reinfection after treatment by:

Avoiding activities that lead to transmission, like sharing injection drug use equipment
Avoiding blood, tissue, and semen donation

People with hepatitis C should be vaccinated against hepatitis A and hepatitis B as recommended. There is no vaccine to prevent HCV. Prior infection with HCV does not protect against reinfection involving the same or different genotypes of the virus.