What should you know about hepatitis C causes?

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus transmitted through infected blood entering another person's bloodstream. Possible routes include shared needles or injection equipment, unsterile medical or cosmetic equipment, and blood exposure during procedures where safety standards were not followed. A person may not know when exposure occurred, and identifying a route is not required before testing or treatment.

Hepatitis C is not spread by hugging, coughing, sharing meals or ordinary household contact. Sexual transmission is possible in situations involving blood, with risk affected by the circumstances. The infection may cause no symptoms; when symptoms appear, fatigue, nausea, reduced appetite, dark urine or yellowing of the eyes can occur. Fatigue has many possible causes and does not establish hepatitis C. A blood test is the way to investigate exposure and current infection.

Speak with a GP Consultation if you have had a possible blood exposure, an abnormal test or concerns about past medical or cosmetic procedures. Ask which test is appropriate and whether a Liver Function Test should be included. Do not share needles, razors, toothbrushes or nail tools. Cover open wounds and clean blood spills using suitable protective measures. If infection is confirmed, ask about antiviral treatment and whether household or sexual partners need individual advice.

Get urgent medical help for confusion, vomiting blood, black stools, fainting, severe abdominal pain, marked abdominal swelling or new yellow skin or eyes. Request prompt advice for persistent vomiting, very dark urine or unusual bruising. These warning signs can arise from different liver and non-liver problems, so assessment should not depend on knowing how exposure happened.

Could any past procedure or blood exposure explain my concern? Which tests check exposure and active virus? How will my liver be assessed? What precautions are sensible at home? Where can I discuss treatment if the virus is detected?