Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver. A person can become infected with hep c virus (or HCV) by being exposed to infectious blood and secretions from another already infected person. This virus can lead to serious liver damage and death, if left untreated. In most cases, there are few symptoms linked to HCV, so individuals may not know they are infected.

There are different types, symptoms, and treatments available for this particular virus. Read on for more details:

1. Transmission of hepatitis C

Hepatitis C can be spread by being stuck with infected needles, from mother to child during birth, sharing drug needles, or getting tattoos or piercings with infected equipment.

2. Symptoms of hepatitis C

Sometimes symptoms of viral hepatitis C will not show up until the virus has advanced. Some symptoms to look for early on in the disease process are fever, fatigue, nausea, stomachache, vomiting, dark urine, and joint pain. An infected person may later experience some weight loss, itching, easy bleeding and bruising, gallstones, fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating.

3. Risk factors for hepatitis C

The CDC recommends people get tested if they have a mother with hepatitis c, have received blood transfusions, have ever injected drugs, been in prison, or if they were born between 1945 and 1965.

4. Acute hepatitis C

Within the first six months after the virus has entered the body, known as short-term, the body can rid the virus on its own and no further treatment will be needed.

5. Chronic hepatitis C

If the infected person’s body cannot rid the virus on its own, known as long-term, then the person can develop liver disease.

6. Hepatitis C and the liver

Cirrhosis of the liver can result from hepatitis C. It is a chronic liver disease where the liver is inflamed and scarred. hepatitis C can also cause liver cancer. Doctors will suggest regular tests for cirrhosis and liver cancer, because sometimes there are no symptoms in the beginning stages.

7. Treatment for hepatitis C

Chronic hepatitis C is treated with a wide variety of medications such as: Elbasvir-grazoprevir (Zepatier), Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir (Harvoni), Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir (Epclusa), Daclatasvir (Daklinza), Glecaprevir and pibrentasvir (Mavyret), Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir (Vosevi), Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-dasabuvirritonavir (Viekira Pack), Ribavirin (Copegus, Moderiba, Rebetol, Ribasphere, Virazole), Sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) with interferon and ribavirin, and Ombitasvir-paritaprevir-ritonavir (Technivie).

8. Prevention of hepatitis C

Hepatitis C prevention is effective if everyone will follow these few common sense rules, since there currently is not a vaccine for hepatitis C. Do not share personal items like needles or syringes for medications or razors. Never inject recreational drugs with shared or unclean needles. Make sure when getting a tattoo or piercing that the equipment is new and unopened. Always use latex condoms while having sex.

9. Can hepatitis C be cured?

Three months after an infected person’s med regimen has been completed, the doctor will order blood tests. If these tests come back negative for the virus, then the person will be considered cured.