Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious lifelong condition. Acute hepatitis C occurs within the first 6 months of exposure and often leads to chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C can last a lifetime and significantly damage the liver, possibly causing cirrhosis or liver cancer. The virus is primarily spread through contact with infected blood and affects an estimated 3.2 million Americans, with baby boomers most at risk. While treatment is very effective at clearing the virus, hepatitis C was responsible for over 350,000 deaths worldwide in recent years.

2. Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that
ranges in severity from a mild illness lasting a
few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness that
attacks the liver.
• Acute Hepatitis C virus infection is a short-
term illness that occurs within the first 6
months after exposure to the Hepatitis C
virus. For most people, acute infection leads
to chronic infection.
• Chronic Hepatitis C virus infection is a long-
term illness that occurs when the Hepatitis C
virus remains in a person’s body. Hepatitis C
virus infection can last a lifetime and lead to
serious liver problems, including cirrhosis
(scarring of the liver) or liver cancer.

4. Stats
• In 2009, about 16,000 cases of
acute HCV were reported in the
US.
• Approximately 3.2 million people
in the United States are living with
chronic HCV, compared to 130-150
million people worldwide.
• Baby Boomers, those born
between 1945 and 1965, are 5
times more likely to be infected
than those born in other time
periods.

5. Stats
• 15–45% of people infected with HCV
get better within six months without
ever receiving treatment.
• 55–85% will develop chronic HCV
infection.
• For people with chronic HCV infection,
the chance of developing cirrhosis of
the liver is 15–30% within 20 years.
• Antiviral treatment works for 50–90%
of people treated.
• 350,000–500,000 people die from HCV-
related complications each year.

6. Symptoms - Acute
• Acute hepatitis C usually goes undiagnosed because it
rarely causes symptoms.
• When signs and symptoms are present, they may include:
• jaundice
• fatigue
• nausea
• fever
• muscle aches
• Acute symptoms appear one to three months after
exposure to the virus and last two weeks to three months.
• Acute hepatitis C infection doesn't always become
chronic. Some people (anywhere from 15 to 45%) clear
HCV from their bodies after the acute phase, an outcome
known as spontaneous viral clearance.

7. Symptoms - Chronic
• Chronic hepatitis C is usually a "silent" infection for many
years, until the virus damages the liver enough to cause the
signs and symptoms of liver disease. Among these signs and
symptoms are:
• bruising and bleeding easily
• poor appetite
• jaundice
• dark-colored urine
• itchy skin
• fluid buildup in your abdomen (ascites)
• swelling in your legs
• weight loss
• confusion, drowsiness and slurred speech (hepatic
encephalopathy)
• spider-like blood vessels on your skin (spider angiomas)

8. Transmission
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread primarily
through contact with the blood of an infected
person. Some methods of transmission include:
• Sharing needles or other equipment to inject
drugs.
• When poor infection-control practices are used
during tattooing or piercing.
• Needlestick injuries in health care settings.
• Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C.
• Having sexual contact with a person infected
with the Hepatitis C virus.
• Before 1992 - through blood transfusions and
organ transplants.

9. Occupational Exposure
According to OSHA, occupational exposure means
“reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous
membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or
other potentially infectious materials that may
result from the performance of an employee’s
duties.”
Occupational exposure can occur among a variety
of occupations, including:
• Body Art (i.e. tattooists and piercers)
• Correctional Health Care Workers
• First Responders / EMTs
• Health Care Workers
• Maintenance and Waste Workers

10. Health Care Workers
• Although the prevalence of HCV infection among
health care workers is similar to that in the general
population (1% to 2%), health care workers have an
increased occupational risk for HCV infection.
• According to the CDC, the average risk of infection
after a needlestick or cut exposure to infected blood
is approximately 1.8%.
• Although recent studies show an association
between sharps injuries and HCV infection, the
number of health care workers who have acquired
HCV occupationally is unknown.
• However, of the total acute HCV infections that have
occurred annually (ranging from 100,000 in 1991 to
36,000 in 1996), 2% to 4% have been health care
workers exposed to blood in the workplace.

11. Treatment
• Hepatitis C infection is treated with antiviral
medications intended to clear the virus from your body.
• The goal of treatment is to have no hepatitis C virus
detected in your body at least 12 weeks after you
complete treatment.
• Researchers have recently made significant advances in
treatment for hepatitis C using new, "direct-acting"
anti-viral medications, sometimes in combination with
existing ones.
• As a result, people experience better outcomes, fewer
side effects and shorter treatment times — some as
short as eight weeks.
• The choice of medications and length of treatment
depend on the hepatitis C genotype, presence of
existing liver damage, other medical conditions and
prior treatments.