Jojy Cheriyan MD,MPH-August 19, 2014

Medical Organizations and CDC have recommended more inclusive guidelines to promote screening for Hepatitis C. An estimated 3.2 million persons in the United States have chronic Hepatitis C virus infection. Most people do not know they are infected because they don’t look or feel sick. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is contagious and is usually transmitted through blood. People with acute HCV, a short-term illness, usually do not have any symptoms. In rare cases, acute HCV may cause fever, nausea and vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes). Most people with acute HCV infection do not know they are infected, and most eventually develop chronic HCV, a long-term illness.

Approximately 75%–85% of people who become infected with Hepatitis C virus develop chronic infection. Over time, 20% to 30% develop severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis or cancer, which can be fatal.

Currently, most cases of hepatitis are newly diagnosed cases of chronic HCV among baby boomers (means , people born between 1945 and 1965). As a result, some health organizations have recommended that everyone in this age group be screened for HCV.

Risks for HCV: Hepatitis C can be transmitted in the following ways. Baby boomers may have been exposed many years ago by activities such as-

1. Injecting drugs

2. Having had a blood transfusion before 1992

3. Being on dialysis

4. Being exposed as a health care worker

 5. Having sexual contact with someone who has HCV

6. Getting a tattoo or body piercing with an unclean tool

7. Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C

Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through

8. Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes .

SYMPTOMS: If you have chronic HCV infection, you may not have any symptoms. The most common symptom is feeling tired. However, the virus can affect the kidneys, skin, and other organs.

SCREENING TEST: A blood test is used to screen for HCV. If you are found to have chronic HCV infection, your doctor may perform other tests to determine the degree of liver damage. Tests may include a liver biopsy (using a special needle, taking a small sample of cells from the liver) to help make decisions about treatment.

Baby boomers (means people born between 1945 and early 1965)  are 5 times more likely to have HCV infection than people who are younger or older. As a result,  some health organizations recommend that everyone in this age group should receive a one-time screening for HCV, even if they have no risk factors. Talk to your doctor about your need for screening.

TREATMENT: Treatment for the most common type of chronic HCV is a combination of the drugs like- peginterferon; ribavirin; boceprevir; telaprevir, or sofosbuvir . Sofosbuvir is a highly expensive drug and proved to have very high (nearly complete) cure rate. Known by brand name Sovaldi, costs $84,000 for a 12 week regime. A number of additional new treatments are currently in development. The cost of Sovaldi is expected to come down soon.

( Sources: JAMA, CDC, National Library of Medicine, US Preventive Services Task Force)