Hepatitis C is an RNA virus. It is spread by blood and bodily fluids, less commonly by vertical transmission. No vaccine is available. It is now curable in adults, using direct acting antiviral medications. These treatments are not yet available for children.

Cause:

Transmission of hepatitis B and C virus results from exposure to infectious blood or body fluids containing blood. Possible forms of transmission include sexual contact, blood transfusions and transfusion with other human blood products, re-use of contaminated needles and syringes, and vertical transmission from mother to child during childbirth.

Risk factors:

• Unsafe medical (injection) practices
• IV/intranasal drug use
• Blood transfusion or organ transplant
• Heavy alcohol use
• HIV
• Incarceration/institutionalisaiton
• Multiple sex partners
• Male sex

PC

*presence of risk factors

Usually asymptomatic - some patients may have non-specific Sx - fatigue, malaise etc.

May have stigmata of liver disease