HEPATITIS C
Hepatitis C is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). A silent, discreet infection, it attacks liver cells and is transmitted by blood.
There is no vaccine against hepatitis C, but different treatments exist depending on the type of virus and the severity of liver damage. Hepatitis C can become chronic if not treated in time, leading to liver cirrhosis or cancer.
In 2016, a sciensano report on hepatitis C, estimated the number of new cases per year at 1,500, with a predominance in penile people aged between 45 and 49.
In Belgium, there are almost 18,000 people infected with hepatitis C. Just under 300 people die each year, despite the fact that effective treatment is available (Sciensanos. d.).
Hepatitis C is transmitted when contaminated blood comes into contact with one of your mucous membranes* or a wound.
Main transmission routes :
- Sharing of drug preparation and injection equipment (syringe, spoon, filter, water, absorbent cotton, swabs, etc.);
- Sharing equipment for smoking or snorting drugs;
- Sharing contaminated tattoo and piercing equipment (needles or other sharp objects, inks and tattoo guns);
- Reuse of single-use medical equipment ;
- Blood transfusions or organ transplants (In Belgium, all medical products in contact with blood have been systematically tested for hepatitis C and B since 1990);
Other transmission routes :
- Sharing hygienic equipment such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers or clippers, which can cause small lesions (cuts, scratches, etc.) that transmit contaminated blood;
- Unprotected, traumatic and/or bloody intercourse (anal sex, fisting, intercourse during menstruation, lesions, etc.);
- Mother-to-child transmission.
The lifespan of the hepatitis C virus in the open air is several days, and several weeks in a syringe. The virus can therefore also be transmitted via dried blood.
*Mucous membranes are found, for example, inside the mouth, vagina and anus.
Hepatitis C is a silent infection, often without symptoms. However, in some people, a few symptoms may appear, signs of severe liver disease:
- fever
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- nausea
- emesis
- abdominal pain.
Other, more specific signs may also appear, such as yellowish skin, eyes and dark urine.
The onset of these symptoms is highly variable, and can appear from 2 to 6 months after infection. Symptoms of hepatitis C can often take several years to appear.
Since the symptoms are similar to those of other hepatitises, and hepatitis C is often asymptomatic, the only way to be sure you're not a carrier is to get tested.
No matter how healthy you feel, hepatitis C can damage the liver. In some cases, serious complications can arise, such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, cancer, fulminant hepatitisboth of which can lead to death.
Hepatitis C often has no symptoms. Screening is therefore essential to detect the virus.
Detection is by blood test and/or rapid test. It can be carried out between 8 and 12 weeks after infection. Screening is prescribed by the attending physician in an analysis laboratory or any other reference center.
The amount of virus in the blood can also be measured to estimate the stage of infection and to determine the conditions for treatment.
Antivirals should be taken orally for 2 to 3 months to eliminate the virus.
Be careful, you can always get reinfected if you take risks again afterwards!
Since January 1, 2019, hepatitis C treatment has been reimbursed for all those infected, even at an early stage of the disease.
There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C.
To minimise the risk of contamination, preventive measures should be taken:
- use of sterile injection equipment
- use of your own equipment for smoking or sniffing drugs (available from pharmacies or ask for advice from an harm reduction association)
- avoid contact with blood (tattooing and piercing with unsterilized equipment, etc.)
- use ofa condom (internal or external) and a latex pad (for oral sex in the presence of blood)
Symptoms of hepatitis C can go unnoticed, so it's important to protect yourself and your partners after taking risks.
Sources
Public Health Agency of Canada, A. (2023, February 24). Hepatitis C: Symptoms and treatment. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/fr/sante-publique/services/maladies/hepatite-c.html
The Basics of Hepatitis C. (n.d.). CATIE - The Canadian Source for HIV and Hepatitis C Information. https://www.catie.ca/fr/lessentiel/lessentiel-de-lhepatite-c
World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023b, July 18). Hepatitis C. https://www.who.int/fr/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. (s. d.). sciensano.be. https://www.sciensano.be/fr/sujets-sante/hepatites-a-b-c-d-et-e
How hepatitis C transmission occurs (n.d.). CATIE - The Canadian Source for HIV and Hepatitis C Information. https://www.catie.ca/fr/hepatite-c-un-guide-detaille/comment-la-transmission-de-lhepatite-c-a-lieu
Mucous membrane - Definitions, synonyms, pronunciation, examples | Dico en ligne Le Robert (s. d.). https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/definition/muqueuse