Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a virus that affects the liver and can lead to serious liver damage if untreated for long periods of time.

your quick guide to this page

what is hepatitis c?: Learn what defines hepatitis C and what its general consequences are.
fast facts: Get a quick overview of hepatitis C through statistics and bite-sized facts.
symptoms: Learn about the symptoms of hepatitis C, how to recognize them, and what to do if you experience them.
lifestyle impacts: Find out how hepatitis C impacts your lifestyle.
what can I do?: Discover management and treatment strategies for hepatitis C.
additional resources: Find useful links, education, articles, recipes and more that can help with hepatitis C.

what is hepatitis c?

Hepatitis C is spread through blood-to-blood contact, meaning hepatitis C infected blood must reach your bloodstream. Acute hepatitis C is a shorter-term illness that occurs within the first six months of exposure. In some cases, the virus runs its course on its own and the infection is gone. For most people, an acute infection leads to a chronic infection.

How does hepatitis C spread?

Hepatitis C is mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact. This can happen through:

Sharing needles, syringes, or drug equipment
Sharing blood contaminated personal items like razors or nail clippers
Getting tattoos or piercings with unsterile equipment

It’s less common to be spread through intimate connections and bodily fluids, and it’s not spread through casual contact like hugging, sneezing, or being around someone in public.

A mother with hepatitis C can pass the virus to her baby during childbirth, but the risk is low. There’s no treatment during pregnancy, but doctors will monitor the baby after birth. Babies can be tested and treated later on if needed.

fast facts

For about 25% of people, the hepatitis c virus will disappear on its own.
There were 7,535 cases of hepatitis C, at a rate of 19.7 cases per 100,000 in Canada in 2021.
Men accounted for 62.1% of cases in 2021 (24.6 cases per 100,000 men vs. 14.7 cases per 100,000 women).
Manitoba had the highest rate in 2021 at 42.3 cases per 100,000.

symptoms

Most individuals with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms in early stages. If the virus is present after six months, it is a chronic infection where in most cases, there is only mild to moderate liver damage. Symptoms can include:

fatigue
nausea
achiness
abdominal pain
flu-like symptoms

who is most at risk?

people who inject drugs
people in the prison system
indigenous peoples
gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men
immigrants and newcomers where HCV is common
adults born from 1945-1975

lifestyle impacts

Living with hepatitis C can feel overwhelming at times, but with the right care, support, and treatment, you can take back control of your liver health.

If treatment isn’t possible right away, you can still take steps to protect your liver:

Follow a healthy, balanced meal pattern
Skip unnecessary medications or supplements that may stress your liver
Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B
Avoid alcohol as this may increase liver damage
See your doctor regularly for check-ups and monitoring

what can I do?

prevention

Wound care: Cover and clean any cuts or sores.
Practice safe injections: Never share or reuse needles. Make sure all equipment is properly sterilized, even in healthcare or personal care settings.
Maintain good hygiene: Wash your hands often and avoid sharing personal items like razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers.
Get screened: Regular testing helps detect hepatitis C early so it can be treated and the risk of transmission can be reduced.

diagnosis

Hepatitis C is diagnosed using a blood test. There are two steps to diagnose hepatitis C:

Step 1: HCV antibody test – Used to assess if a person has ever been exposed to the virus.
Step 2: HCV RNA test – Performed when the antibody test is positive. It checks for the presence of the virus in your blood to see if the infection is active.

Once diagnosed, your doctor may use an imaging test or biopsy to guide treatment options.

treatment

Hepatitis C can be cured in most people. Treatment typically involves taking one pill a day for 8 to 12 weeks. These direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have few side effects and cure more than 95% of people.

Common treatments in Canada include:

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir
Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir
Sofosbuvir/ledipasvir

Your doctor will recommend the best option based on the status of your liver health and your unique needs.

additional resources

Here are a few questions to ask your doctor or medical team:

What is the condition of my liver?
What treatment is available for hepatitis C?
What lifestyle adjustments should I make to protect my liver health?
What are possible ways I contracted hepatitis C?

Liver Canada Resources