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Communicable Diseases Agency

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Last updated on 24 March 2025

What is hepatitis C (HCV)?

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection may result in acute (short-term) hepatitis, but may also be asymptomatic.

Many infected people develop chronic hepatitis, which may lead to liver diseases such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.

There is no vaccine for HCV, but it can be treated with antiviral medications. Treatment using direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is effective but costly.

How is HCV transmitted?

HCV is usually spread through blood from an infected person. This can happen through:

  • Sharing drug injection equipment

  • Birth

  • Sex with an infected person

  • Unregulated tattoos or body piercings

  • Exposure from hospitals through improper handling of fluids

  • Sharing personal items

  • Blood transfusions and organ transplants

What are the symptoms of HCV?

Many people with HCV do not have symptoms. If symptoms occur, they usually appear within 2 to 12 weeks, but can take up to 6 months to develop, and is usually a sign of advanced liver disease.

Symptoms can include: 

  • Jaundice

  • Poor appetite

  • Upset stomach, stomach pain

  • Vomiting

  • Fever

  • Dark-coloured urine

  • Light-coloured stool

  • Joint pain

  • Fatigue

These symptoms could worsen if the infected person has high alcohol intake or other liver diseases.

Approximately 50% to 85% of HCV patients become carriers. They are normally asymptomatic but they can transmit the virus. Up to 30% of carriers could progress to severe liver disease after 14 to 30 years of being infected if HCV is not managed properly.

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors include:

  • Unprotected sex with an infected person

  • Having multiple sexual partners

  • Sex between men

  • Being an intravenous drug user

  • Inconsistent condom use

  • History or current presence of other sexually transmitted infections

How to treat HCV?

Like Hepatitis B (HBV), HCV is treated in collaboration with a hepatologist, a doctor who specialises in acute or chronic treating liver diseases.

In addition, people with HCV are recommended to get Hepatitis A and B vaccinations to reduce the risk of co-infection.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding considerations include:

  • Routine testing for HCV infection is not recommended for all pregnant women. Pregnant women with a known risk factor for HCV infection should be offered counselling and testing.

  • There is at present no known way of reducing the risk of vertical transmission. Women should be informed of the potential risk of transmission in pregnancy. 

  • There is no firm evidence of transmission through breastfeeding for women with HCV unless there is concurrent HIV infection.

How to prevent HCV?

Ways to prevent getting HCV include:

  • Consistent and correct use of condoms when engaging in sexual activity  

  • Limiting the number of sexual partners

  • Avoid sharing needles or any equipment used for injecting drugs, piercing, or tattooing

  • Safely and appropriately administering healthcare injections

  • Safe handling and disposal of needles and medical waste