Hepatitis C (HCV)

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that affects your liver. Many people don’t feel sick at first, but over time it can cause serious liver problems, including cirrhosis or liver cancer. The good news: HCV is treatable and curable. Contact HealthSource’s Clinical Pharmacists to learn more about testing and treatment at 513-732-0870 ext. 3131.

How Hepatitis C Spreads 

HCV spreads through blood. Common ways include:

  • Sharing needles, syringes, or other injection equipment
  • Blood transfusions before 1992
  • Unsterilized tattoo or piercing equipment
  • Occasionally through sexual contact

Prevention Tips:

  • Avoid sharing needles or personal items that might have blood
  • Use harm reduction services if injecting drugs
  • Ask your healthcare provider about HCV testing if you’re at risk
  • Practice safer sex

Testing

Who Should Get Tested?

CDC recommends hepatitis C testing for:

  • All adults 18 and older at least once in their lifetime.
  • Pregnant women, during each pregnancy.
  • People who currently inject drugs, or even did so once or long ago.
  • People who have 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 hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive blood.
  • Infants and children born to people with known HCV infection.

Testing is simple: a blood test can check for hepatitis C. If positive, additional tests determine if the virus is active.

Treatment

  • Antiviral Medicine
    • Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) can clear HCV from the body.
    • Treatment usually lasts 8–12 weeks, depending on genotype, liver health, and prior treatments.
    • Care teams monitor response and side effects during treatment.
    • Newer antivirals are more effective, shorter, and better tolerated.
  • Liver Transplantation:
    • Option for serious liver damage from chronic HCV.
    • Transplant alone does not cure HCV; antivirals are often needed before or after.
  • Vaccinations:
    • No vaccine exists for HCV.
    • Vaccines for hepatitis A and B are recommended to protect liver health.

Hep C Treatment Locator

Resources