Hepatitis C

Every year nearly 9 million people under the age of 25 get a new STI (sexually transmitted infection).¹ One of these infections is hepatitis C. If you've had sex, you could have an STI. Some STIs cause symptoms. Others don't. You could have one and not know it. Some STIs make you sick today and others can cause problems later in life. These include serious problems like cancer or infertility. Some can even kill you.

What is hepatitis C and how do you get it?
Hepatitis C is a serious viral STI that affects the liver.² Because it is transmitted through blood and body fluids,³ you can get it from having sex or sharing needles with an infected person. Babies can get it from their mothers during childbirth.³ Although most infected people have no symptoms, they can still pass on hepatitis C.

Am I safe if I only have oral or anal sex?
It may be possible to pass on hepatitis C during oral sex. It can be passed during anal sex, particularly if other STIs are present.³

What happens if I'm infected?
You may have no symptoms at all. On the other hand, you could have symptoms such as weakness, loss of appetite and nausea. Your skin or eyes could look yellow. Most people who get hepatitis C infection have it for life. Life-long infection can cause liver damage, cancer and death.³ If you also have HIV, your hepatitis C infection may get worse faster.²

How do you treat hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C can be treated with medication. But treatment is expensive, has side effects and does not always work.⁴

Am I safe if I always use a condom?
Considering the way hepatitis C is transmitted, always using condoms may reduce your chance of getting it.

What can I do to avoid getting infected?
Don't shoot drugs. Avoid sexual activity if you are single. Be faithful to one uninfected partner for the rest of your life. Already had sex? See a doctor and get checked.

References
1 Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W Jr. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates, 2000. Perspect Sex Reprod Health; 2004;36(1):6-10.
2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted disease treatment guidelines 2006. Hepatitis C. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment/2006/hepatitis-c.htm. Accessed July 1, 2009.
3 Lemon SM, Lok A, Alter MJ. Viral hepatitis. In: Holmes KK, Sparling PF, Stamm WE, et al., eds. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw HillMedical; 2008:529-35.
4 Thomas DL, Ray SC, Lemon SM. Hepatitis C. In: Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2005:1950-1981.

Authored by: Sheetal Malhotra, MBBS, MS
Date: May 2007
Revised by: Jennifer A. Shuford, MD, MPH
Date: July 2009