Hepatitis C is known as the ‘silent killer’ because it often shows no symptoms until it’s too late.
But here is the good news…It’s treatable and even curable!
Learn how to protect yourself and your liver
BEST TIPS TO PREVENT ALL VIRAL HEPATITIS INFECTIONS
1. Get vaccinated for Hepatitis A and B.
2. Use clean and safe drinking water.
3. Practice good hand hygiene, especially before eating.
4. Avoid sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia.
5. Use barrier protection (like condoms) during sexual activity
6. Ensure safe blood transfusions and medical procedures
7. Avoid sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes
🔑 WHAT IS HEPATITIS C?
Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
This infection can silently damage your liver over time, leading to severe complications like:
– liver scarring (cirrhosis)
– liver failure, and even
– liver cancer if it’s not treated.
🔑 HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
Mostly through contact with infected blood, this can happen if you
– share needles or syringes when using drugs
– receive contaminated blood products
– use unsterilized medical or tattoo equipment
– It’s less common, but hepatitis C can also be passed from a mother to her baby during childbirth or through sexual contact
– also, less common but sharing personal items like razors or toothbrushes with an infected person can also spread the virus.
Even small amounts of blood that can’t be seen can spread the virus 😤
🔑 SYMPTOMS
Many people with hepatitis C don’t have symptoms right away.
When they do appear, symptoms might include:
– fatigue,
– muscle and joint pain
– nausea
– loss of appetite, and
– jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
These symptoms can be mild at first, making it easy to overlook them.
🔑 HEPATITIS C, CAN BE SILENT
One of the most dangerous aspects of hepatitis C is that it often shows no symptoms until significant liver damage has occurred.
This is why many people don’t know they’re infected until years later, when they start experiencing serious health problems.
🔑 WHO IS AT RISK?
– People who inject drugs, even if only once, are at high risk of hepatitis C
– those who received blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 when widespread screening of the blood supply began
– People with HIV
– Accidental needle sticks or exposure to infected blood can transmit the virus
– The virus can be passed from mother to child during childbirth.
– Using non-sterile equipment (e.g tattoo devices) can spread the virus.
🔑 DIAGNOSIS
Since symptoms can take years to appear, getting tested is the only way to know if you have hepatitis C.
A simple blood test can detect the virus.
🔑 TREATMENT
The good news is that hepatitis C is curable.
Antiviral medications can clear the virus from your body in most cases, preventing further liver damage.
These treatments are usually taken for 8 to 12 weeks and have a high success rate 👍🏼
Without treatment, hepatitis C can lead to chronic liver disease
🔑 HOW TO PREVENT HEPATITIS C
– There’s no vaccine for hepatitis C
– reduce your risk by avoiding sharing needles or other drug equipment
– ensure your tattoos or piercings are done with sterile equipment
– practice safe sex, especially with partners whose health status you don’t know 👀
🔑 HAVE YOU GOT IT?
If you’re diagnosed with hepatitis C, follow your doctor’s advice, take prescribed medications, and avoid substances that can harm your liver, like alcohol 🍺
Hepatitis C is a serious but treatable infection. Get tested, know the risks, and seek treatment if necessary to protect yourself
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