'I'm a Hepatologist, and This Is the #1 Most Important Question to Ask When You Get a Hepatitis C Diagnosis'

Shelby Deering
·5 min read

Hepatitis C test

When you receive a medical diagnosis, it can feel overwhelming to say the least. In the moment, it can be difficult to come up with the right questions to ask. One diagnosis that might feel particularly startling is hepatitis C. It sounds dire, but what is hepatitis C exactly? How is it treated? And what’s the most important question you can ask as soon as you receive a diagnosis?

What Is Hepatitis C?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 50 million people have chronic hepatitis C, with around one million new infections happening every year.

“Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver,” says Taylor Nelson, DO, University of Missouri Health Care infectious disease specialist. “It is transmitted by contact with blood from an infected person. In about 20 to 30% of people with hepatitis C, the body can get rid of the infection on its own, but the majority of people will develop a chronic liver infection.”

Marc Kennedy, MD, a specialist in Gastroenterology and Hepatology through Wisconsin’s Aurora Health Care system, goes on to say that hepatitis C can cause cirrhosis, or scarring and damage, to the liver and cause injury to other organs as well.

Symptoms

“Usually, hepatitis C does not cause any specific symptoms,” Dr. Nelson says. “This makes it dangerous since you would not necessarily know you are infected, and is the reason doctors want individuals to get screening tests—so we can find it and treat it.”

She adds that if symptoms do happen, the most common problem is fatigue. “Less commonly, a person could have nausea, decreased appetite, muscle or joint pains, weakness, or weight loss,” she says.

Dr. Kennedy recommends that all adults 18 years and over be screened for hepatitis C. “Studies have shown that treatment of hepatitis C will result in a longer lifespan, than if not treated,” he says.

Related: 'Inside My Hepatitis C Journey, from the Day I Was Diagnosed to Finally Receiving a Cure'

What Causes Hepatitis C?

Dr. Nelson explains that in the United States, hepatitis C is often transmitted when people share needles, syringes or other tools for injection drug use. “It is possible, though less likely, to become infected with hepatitis C by getting tattoos or piercings if the equipment is not properly cleaned, by sharing things like razors or toothbrushes which could have blood on them, or by having sex with an infected person,” she says.

Additionally, hepatitis C can be transferred from mom to baby during pregnancy. And, according to Dr. Nelson, “Healthcare workers could be exposed at work if they get stuck with a used needle or a scalpel."

Specifically, Hepatitis C is caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV), which can become a chronic infection.

“Diagnosis of Hepatitis C is made by a blood test,” Dr. Kennedy says. “These tests can detect the actual presence of the virus in the bloodstream, and the viral load, or the amount of virus in the blood.”

Related: 7 Sneaky Signs of Hepatitis C You Should Know About

The #1 Question to Ask Your Doctor After You Get a Hepatitis C Diagnosis

According to Dr. Nelson, the most important question to ask is: “How do I start treatment?”

“Because of the long-term complications associated with Hepatitis C, even if you don’t have symptoms, every person with the infection should be treated if possible,” she says.

And as Dr. Kennedy says, another top-priority question should be: “Is the infection cleared and inactive, or is the infection chronic and active?”

“The importance in asking this question is, if the infection is chronic and active, the patient is at risk for possible liver damage and possibly will develop cirrhosis,” he says.

Other Questions to Ask

Both doctors list additional questions that you can ask after you receive a hepatitis C diagnosis:

  • How did I get this infection?

  • How much liver damage do I have now?

  • What are the treatment options and potential side effects?

  • How can I avoid further liver damage?

  • What vaccines do I need to protect my liver?

  • What other infections should we check for?

  • Can I transmit this infection to others?

  • Do I have any other health problems that can be a consequence of Hepatitis C infection?

  • Are there any lifestyle changes I can make to improve my treatment outcome?

Related: Newly Diagnosed With Hepatitis C? Here's How to Stay Healthy

How Hepatitis C Is Treated

Infectious disease specialists, gastroenterologists and hepatologists (liver doctors) specialize in treating hepatitis C. However, many primary care doctors and clinicians can treat hepatitis C as well, as Dr. Nelson details.

While you may think that treatment for hepatitis C is likely complicated, it actually is surprisingly straightforward. Dr. Nelson says treatment usually involves an oral antiviral medication taken for 8 to 12 weeks.

“Your doctor will determine the best treatment for you based on your individual risk factors—the condition of your liver, your overall health, possible medication interactions, and, sometimes, which strain of Hepatitis C is causing your infection,” she says. “Once medication is started, it is important to continue it as prescribed until the entire course is completed, to give you the best chance of cure and the lowest chance to develop resistance.”

When you’ve finished treatment after 12 weeks, your doctor will check the virus level to confirm that the infection is cured.

“Currently, the success of treatment can approach 90%,” Dr. Kennedy explains. “It is important to know that even if a patient has developed cirrhosis, they can possibly still be treated. In some cases, treatment of Hepatitis C in the setting of early cirrhosis can not only be curative but can result in the reversal of liver damage.”

Next up, learn more about Hepatitis C treatment options.

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