Other causes of HCV include reusing the injected instruments, the infection mother to baby during pregnancy, body piercing and tattooing, sharing of toothbrushes, razors, and scissors, transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products, and unprotected sex.
If you have shared needles in the past, or have a connection to any of the mentioned causes, how can you tell if you have Hep C?
During the first six months of infection, also known as the acute stage, many individuals may only experience mild illness symptoms, if any symptoms at all. During the chronic stage, symptoms include the following:
- Abdominal pain
- Accumulation of fluid and swelling of the abdominal cavity (also known as ascites)
- Diarrhea
- Easy bruising and bleeding
- Fever
- Itching
- Light-colored stools or dark-colored urine
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice (or yellow discoloration of the eyes and skin)
- Star-shaped vein pattern on a swollen belly
Most importantly, seeking medical attention and getting tested is encouraged, as someone with Hep C can go years, even decades, without feeling sick or experiencing the listed symptoms.
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, those with Hep C may wonder if they should trust receiving the vaccine, but it is recommended; this is also the case with those who have developed cirrhosis.
Medical specialists confirm that having Hep C does not put one at greater risk for severe cases of COVID and that the risk of complications from COVID or the vaccine are about the same as those in the general population.
So do not delay getting screened and checked for Hep C if you know you have been at risk.