Understanding Hepatitis C -- Diagnosis and Treatment

How Do I Know If I Have It?

The CDC recommends that you have a blood test for hepatitis C if any of the following are true:

• You have been notified that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for the disease.
• You have ever injected drugs, even once many years ago.
• You received a blood transfusion or an organ transplant before July 1992.
• You received a blood product used to treat clotting problems that was made before 1987.
• You have had long-term kidney dialysis.
• You have signs or symptoms of liver disease.
• You have HIV or Hepatitis B.
• You were born to a Hep C positive mother.

Otherwise, routine screening for hepatitis typically is not recommended unless you have symptoms of the condition.

If You Have Symptoms

Often patients with hepatitis C don’t have any symptoms and may not know they have it. When the patient's symptoms suggest hepatitis C, the doctor normally takes blood samples and runs tests to check for the presence of an antibody. More blood samples may be necessary later -- even after the symptoms have vanished -- to check for complications and determine if the patient is a carrier of the disease.

The doctor may also require a liver biopsy, or tissue sample, in order to determine the extent of the damage. A biopsy is commonly performed by inserting a needle into the liver and drawing out a fragment of tissue, which is then sent to a laboratory to be analyzed.

What Are the Treatments?

If it is determined that treatment is needed, hepatitis C is typically treated with a combination of drugs for many months. A typical regimen would likely include some form of interferon, such as peginterferon (an injectable drug), and ribavirin. The latest evidence shows that peginterferon and ribavirin is more effective than standard interferon and ribavirin, curing 50% to 80% of those infected with hepatitis C. Treatment requires close monitoring with frequent blood draws and may require additional medications to combat side effects. Treatment is usually given by someone experienced with treatment of hepatitis C such as a hepatologist or infectious diseases specialist. 

Additional Measures

If you have hepatitis C it is important to avoid alcoholic beverages and medications that may put added strain on the already injured liver. You may also want to get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B if you are not already immune.