Hepatitis C: A Curable Liver Infection

Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. Over many years it can cause scarring, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. Most people have no symptoms and don't know they are infected. The good news: hepatitis C can now be cured with a short course of pills.

How hepatitis C spreads

Hepatitis C spreads mainly through blood: shared needles, blood transfusions before 1992, unsterile tattoos or medical equipment, and, less often, from mother to baby or through sex.

Who should be tested?

The CDC recommends that every adult be tested at least once, and that pregnant people be tested during each pregnancy. People with ongoing risks, such as injection drug use, should be tested regularly. The first test checks for antibodies. If it is positive, a second blood test shows whether the virus is still present.

Before treatment

We check how much liver scarring is present, usually with liver elastography (FibroScan) in our office, and review your other medicines for interactions. We also check for hepatitis B, since it can flare during hepatitis C treatment.

Treatment

Treatment is one pill a day (or a few pills with food) for 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the medicine. Common options include Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir) and Mavyret (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir). More than 95% of people are cured, and side effects are usually mild, such as headache or tiredness. Most insurance plans cover treatment, and our staff can help with prior authorization.

After cure

• A blood test 12 weeks after finishing confirms the cure
• If you had advanced scarring or cirrhosis, you still need liver cancer screening every 6 months
• You can be infected again, so avoid sharing needles, razors, or other items that may carry blood

Make an appointment

Our gastroenterologists in Temple City care for patients from Arcadia, San Gabriel, Pasadena, Monrovia, Monterey Park, and across the San Gabriel Valley. We accept most PPO plans (see accepted insurances), and our doctors speak English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin. Schedule an appointment or call 626-898-4560.

This article is for general education and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your own health.