Hepatitis C is incredibly common in the U.S., but many people don’t look sick at first—or even know they have it. It’s not as frequently discussed as Hepatitis A and B, which we have vaccines for, but hepatitis C carries risks and is worth treating (and preventing).
“Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) that primarily affects the liver, causing inflammation,” explains Dr. Yoshua Quinones, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to labfinder.com. “It can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis or liver cancer if untreated.”
While the CDC reports hepatitis C rates declined for the first time in a decade in 2022, more than 93,000 new cases were reported in 43 states and Washington, D.C.
It sounds scary, particularly if you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with hepatitis C. You may have concerns about how hepatitis C spreads, especially if you’re sexually active. Can you get hepatitis C through sex? The answer can help you protect yourself and your partner or partners.
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Is Hepatitis C Sexually Transmitted?
Getting hepatitis C from sex is unlikely, but it’s possible. “You may acquire hepatitis C from having sexual intercourse, but the risk of getting it through sex is low,” says Dr. Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, MS, MBA, FACOG, the director of perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health and Hospitals. “It is more common in people with multiple partners, those with HIV or if there’s exposure to blood during sexual activity.”
Having sex without a condom can also increase a person’s risk, particularly in non-monogamous relationships, explains Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, an ABIM Quadruple board-certified physician and Medical Reviewer for NCOA.
The CDC also reports that sexual transmission of hepatitis C is uncommon. Per the CDC, most cases of sexual transmission occur between men having sex with other men, but anyone can contract hepatitis C from intercourse.
Other Ways Hepatitis Does (and Doesn’t) Spread
“Hepatitis C is mainly spread through contact with infected blood, often from sharing needles, contaminated medical equipment, or from blood transfusions before 1992,” Dr. Quinones says.
In 1992, the U.S. began widespread screening for hepatitis C in donated blood. In rare cases, a pregnant person can spread hepatitis C to their fetus, adds Dr. Edward Liu, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, the section chief of infectious diseases with Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center.
The CDC explains that there currently is no evidence hepatitis C spreads through:
- Hugging
- Kissing
- Holding hands
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Water
- Food
- Breastfeeding
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Hepatitis C Symptoms
Discussing hepatitis C symptoms with a doctor can help you get tested, treated and cured. It can also help you avoid spreading it to sexual partners. Unfortunately, people often don’t show symptoms early. Dr. Gaither says that early hepatitis C signs worth flagging are:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Body aches
- Poor appetite
- Change in pee color (darker)
- Changes in stool color (lighter)
In more advanced cases, Dr. Gaither says people with hepatitis C might experience:
- Swelling/fluid build-up, especially in the abdomen or tissues
- Weight loss
- Bruising
- Brain dysfunction, like confusion or memory loss
- Itching
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Hepatitis C Risks, Treatment and Prognosis
Dr. Dasgupta says hepatitis C starts as an acute infection, and some people can fight it off on their own. Unfortunately, that usually isn’t the case.
“Most people unfortunately go on to develop a chronic infection,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “That means the virus remains active in their body, even if they do not know they have it.”
Over time, Dr. Dasgupta says the liver inflammation triggered by hepatitis C can cause serious liver damage and cirrhosis, which is when the liver becomes severely scarred and cannot function normally. Dr. Liu adds that hepatitis C can increase a person’s risk for liver cancer.
The good news? “If hepatitis C is diagnosed early enough, it can be cured with oral antivirals,” Dr. Liu says. “Treating it early will prevent cirrhosis and lower likelihood of liver cancer.”
The CDC reports that most people who take antivirals are cured of hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks, but Dr. Gaither says that people with severe and advanced hepatitis C may need a liver transplant,
Hepatitis C Prevention
Cliche but true: Prevention of hepatitis C is the best medicine. However, Dr. Gaither says there’s no vaccine for it at this time. You can still lower your risk of getting hepatitis C with some common-sense measures.
“The only effective way to prevent hepatitis C infection is not to share needles or personal items like razors, practice safe sex, and make sure any medical procedures use clean equipment,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “Getting tested if you think you might be at risk is also important.”
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Sources:
- Hepatitis C Basics. CDC.
- Hepatitis C Surveillance 2022. CDC.
- Dr. Yoshua Quinones, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to labfinder.com
- Dr. Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, MS, MBA, FACOG, the director of perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Bronx
- Hepatitis C Prevention and Control. CDC.
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Dr. Raj Dasgupta, MD, an ABIM Quadruple board-certified physician and Medical Reviewer for NCOA
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Hepatitis C Testing.North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services.
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Dr. Edward Liu, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA, the section chief of infectious diseases with Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center