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Human infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) may initially result in very mild illness with few or no symptoms or a serious condition requiring hospitalization. Fewer than half of people who get hepatitis C are able to clear the virus in the first 6 months after infection without treatment. Most people who get infected will develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Left untreated, HCV infection can lead to serious problems including liver disease, liver failure, and even death.

Hepatitis C is spread when someone comes into contact with the blood of a person infected with HCV. This can happen through sharing needles or syringes, from receipt of blood transfusions using unscreened blood products, or from other contact with contaminated blood. Infants who are born to mothers infected with HCV are also at risk for infection.

Many people with HCV infection do not have symptoms; it is estimated that one-third of people in the United States are unaware of their disease status. Over time, hepatitis C virus can cause the liver to thicken and scar, leading to potentially serious complications. If symptoms occur with HCV infection, they may include dark or clay-colored stools, fever, feeling tired, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, joint pain, abdominal pain, dark urine, and yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice). People with HCV infection can spread the virus to others, regardless of whether symptoms are present.

There is no vaccine to protect against HCV infection. However, hepatitis C virus infection is curable. Testing is the first step to know your hepatitis C infection status and to protect your health. If you have HCV infection, talk to your healthcare provider right away about life-saving treatment.

For more information, visit CDC's Hepatitis C Basics page

The virus usually spreads when someone is exposed to the blood of a person infected with HCV. The blood might be in an amount too small to see.

Possible exposures include:

  • Injection drug use (currently, the most common mode of HCVtransmission in the US).
  • Transmission to infant during birth from an HCV-infected mother.
 

Although less frequent, HCV can also be spread through:

  • Sex with an HCV-infected person (although uncommon, HIV-infectedmen who have sex with men have an increased risk of sexual transmission).
  • Sharing personal items contaminated with infectious blood, such asrazors or toothbrushes.
  • Other invasive health care procedures that involve injections.
  • Unregulated tattooing and piercing.
  • Donated blood, blood products, and organs (rare in the US since bloodscreening became available in 1992).
  • Needlestick injuries in health care settings.
HCV does not spread through casual contact like sharing eating utensils, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. It is also not spread through water, food, or breastfeeding (provided the nipples and surrounding areas are not cracked and bleeding).

The following populations are at an increased risk for hepatitis C:

  • People who inject drugs or did so in the past.
  • People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
  • People with certain medical conditions, including those who have ever received maintenance hemodialysis and those with persistently abnormal alanineaminotransferase (ALT) (a liver enzyme) levels.
  • People who have received transfusions or organ transplants, including:
    • People who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987.
    • People who received a transfusion of blood or blood components beforeJuly 1992.
    • People who received an organ transplant before July 1992.
    • People who were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection.
  • Health care and public safety personnel who have been exposed to the blood of someone who has hepatitis C (through needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures).
  • Infants born to mothers with known hepatitis C.

 To learn more about at-risk populations, visit CDC's Viral Hepatitis Among Specific Populations

Although there is currently no vaccine to prevent HCV, the best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, including:
  • Sharing needles, syringes, or other drug equipment.
  • Practicing poor or unsanitary procedures in health care facilities.
  • Engaging in sexual activity with a person who is infected with HCV.
  • Getting unregulated tattoos or body piercings.
  • Receiving a blood transfusion from a donor with HCV infection.

Syringe services program and community-based prevention programs such as medication-assisted substance use treatment centers can reduce the transmission of HCV for people who inject drugs.
Additionally, it is important to use condoms or other barriers during sex with anyone including someone who has HCV infection to reduce the risk of transmission.

For more information on Hepatitis C Prevention, visit CDC's Hepatitis C Prevention and Control

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends testing for hepatitis C virus (hep C) for all adults ages 18 and older at least once in their lifetimes. All pregnant women should be tested at least once during each pregnancy.

The CDC also recommends:

One-time testing for:

  • People who currently inject drugs, or even did so once or long ago.
  • People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
  • People with abnormal liver tests, liver disease, or who are on hemodialysis.
  • People who received blood or organ donations before July 1992.
  • People who received clotting factor concentrate before 1987.
  • Health care, emergency medical, and public safety personnel after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood.
  • Children born to mothers with hepatitis C.

 Periodic testing for:

  • People with ongoing risk factors, such as currently injecting drugs or sharing needles, syringes, or other drug preparation equipment.
  • People with certain medical conditions, including those who have ever received
    maintenance hemodialysis. 
  • Any person who requests hepatitis C testing.


Hepatitis C (HCV) infections are often asymptomatic, meaning people don’t have symptoms. Getting testing for HCV is the only way to find out if you have an HCV infection.

For more information on Hepatitis C testing, visit CDC's Testing for Hepatitis C

To access free Hepatitis C testing, visit Get Tested Montana

Safe and highly effective treatment that can potentially cure hepatitis C (HCV) is available.
If you have hepatitis C and would like to learn more about Hepatitis C treatment, please visit CDC's Treatment of Hepatitis C

Clinicians seeking additional information on hepatitis C treatment can visit CDC's Clinical Care of Hepatitis C

 

 

Additional Resources

Visit the Hepatitis Resource Library for more information about hepatitis C as well as hepatitis A, and hepatitis B.