Hepatitis C
What Is Hepatitis C? Symptoms, Transmission and Diagnosis
Hepatitis C is an infection in which the hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects the liver. The infection may begin as an acute illness; if the virus is not cleared from the body, it may become chronic. Over time, chronic hepatitis C can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis and liver cancer.
As the disease causes no symptoms for a long time in many people, the infection may only be detected through a blood test. WHO reports that HCV infection caused approximately 239.000 deaths worldwide in 2024.
How is hepatitis C transmitted?
HCV is primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood. Situations that carry a risk of transmission include:
- Sharing syringes, needles or equipment used to prepare injections
- Non-sterile medical, dental, tattooing or piercing equipment
- Sharing personal items that have come into contact with blood, such as razors or toothbrushes
- Use of unscreened blood or blood products
- Transmission from an infected mother to her baby
- Sexual contact that may involve exposure to blood
Hepatitis C is not transmitted through hugging, kissing, being in the same space, or sharing food or drinks. The virus does not spread through everyday social contact.
What are the symptoms of hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C infection often causes no symptoms. If symptoms develop, they may include fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, joint pain and jaundice. In chronic infection, there may be no symptoms until liver damage has progressed. Therefore, feeling well does not rule out infection.
Who is hepatitis C testing recommended for?
The need for testing is determined by the country's screening policies and the individual's risk factors. CDC recommends HCV screening for all adults in the USA at least once in their lifetime and during every pregnancy. WHO recommends testing people at increased risk of HCV in all regions, while planning testing approaches for the general population according to regional prevalence and healthcare capacity.
Discuss the need for testing with your doctor in situations such as sharing injection equipment, occupational exposure to blood, previous unsafe medical procedures, having a partner diagnosed with HCV or being born to a mother diagnosed with HCV. For people requesting testing, difficulty sharing their risk history should not be a barrier to assessment and test planning.
What do anti-HCV and HCV RNA tests show?
Hepatitis C diagnosis is generally assessed in two stages:
- Anti-HCV antibody test: Indicates possible previous exposure to HCV. A positive result alone does not establish a diagnosis of active infection.
- HCV RNA PCR test: Detects the virus's genetic material in the blood. Detection of RNA indicates a current infection and requires assessment for treatment.
If anti-HCV is positive and HCV RNA is not detected, there is usually no active infection at that time. This result may be associated with a previous infection that the person cleared naturally or that was cured with treatment; in some cases, the antibody result may also be a false positive. As antibodies may remain positive after recovery, HCV RNA testing is used to assess whether treatment has achieved a cure.
If exposure occurred recently, the antibody test may not yet have become positive. According to CDC, HCV RNA can usually be detected 1–2 weeks after exposure, while antibodies may take longer to develop. If recent exposure is suspected, a doctor may arrange HCV RNA testing and, if necessary, repeat testing, even if the antibody result is negative.
You can contact our Nicosia or Kyrenia branches for information about anti-HCV and HCV RNA PCR testing at Wellcare. Test results should be interpreted in conjunction with a medical assessment.
Can hepatitis C be treated?
Yes. Oral treatments with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) can now cure the vast majority of people diagnosed with hepatitis C. CDC reports that treatment usually lasts 8–12 weeks and achieves a cure in more than 95% of cases. The appropriate medication and treatment duration are determined by the doctor based on the person's clinical condition and liver assessment.
Clearing the virus through treatment does not provide immunity against future HCV reinfection. If there is an ongoing risk of exposure, the doctor may arrange repeat testing. People who have developed cirrhosis may need continued liver monitoring even if HCV is cleared with treatment.
Can hepatitis C be prevented?
There is no vaccine against hepatitis C. Reducing the risk of contact with blood is important for prevention: injection equipment should not be shared; sterile, single-use equipment should be used for tattooing, piercing and similar procedures; and personal care items should not be shared. People diagnosed with HCV are also advised to discuss hepatitis A and B vaccinations with their doctor.
To have your test in Northern Cyprus, please visit our Nicosia or Kyrenia branch. We wish you good health!