Key points at a glance
🩸 Transmitted via blood
Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood, for example when sharing injection equipment.
⏳ Often chronic
Many hepatitis C infections become chronic and can cause permanent damage to the liver.
💊 Almost always curable
Chronic hepatitis C can usually be cured with medication within a few weeks.
🛡️ Safer Use protects
Using your own injection equipment and maintaining high standards of hygiene when tattooing or piercing reduces the risk of infection.
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV for short. The virus is transmitted via blood, for example through drug use.
Hepatitis C often becomes chronic. At the same time, it is almost always curable. Treatment lasts for a maximum of three months.
If left untreated, the infection can cause serious damage to the liver. Possible consequences include liver failure or liver cancer.
Hepatitis C: Transmission
Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood. This happens particularly frequently amongst drug users when syringes or accessories such as spoons, filters or water are shared.
There may also be a risk involved in getting a tattoo, a piercing or your ears pierced. The key factor is whether the procedure is carried out hygienically and cleanly.
Hepatitis C is rarely transmitted through sex. It mainly affects men who have sex with men.
Hepatitis C: Prevention
When taking drugs, it is important that you only use your own injection kit and your own equipment. This includes the syringe, needle, filter, spoon and water. Do not share these items with others.
When getting a tattoo, a piercing or your ears pierced, you should ensure good hygiene. Sterile, single-use instruments or carefully sterilised instruments should be used.
You can also reduce the risk of hepatitis C transmission during sex. If you switch between partners, you should use a new condom or femidom for each person. The same applies to gloves when fisting. A new glove should be used for each person. Alternatively, you can wash your hands thoroughly. Dildos and other sex toys should be thoroughly cleaned before passing them on to someone else. You can also put a new condom over them for each person. You should not share lubricant. It is best for each person to use their own pot of lubricant.
In medical and care settings, standard hygiene and health and safety measures are sufficient to prevent transmission.
Hepatitis C: Symptoms and consequences
After infection, it can take between three weeks and six months for hepatitis C to become apparent. However, symptoms rarely occur. Flu-like symptoms or yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes may occur.
Some infections clear up within six months. However, most become chronic. Even chronic hepatitis C can clear up on its own at a later stage.
A chronic infection often manifests itself only through non-specific symptoms. These include tiredness, upper abdominal discomfort, reduced energy levels, itching or joint pain.
In around one third of chronic infections, the disease takes an aggressive course. This can lead to inflammation of the liver. Furthermore, the liver tissue may undergo changes and become scarred. This scarring is known as fibrosis. In around 15 to 30 per cent of these cases, this can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Other possible consequences include liver failure or, less commonly, liver cancer.
In just under three-quarters of people with chronic hepatitis C, conditions affecting the joints, muscles or skin also occur. Less commonly, the salivary glands, thyroid, kidneys or blood vessels may also be affected.
Diagnosis of hepatitis C
A hepatitis C infection can be detected by a blood test. This test usually looks for both antibodies against HCV and components of the virus itself.
Testing is available from, amongst others, many public health authorities, drug support organisations and doctors. You can get advice, for example, from AIDS and drug support organisations, as well as via the AIDS support organisations’ telephone and online counselling services.
If hepatitis C is diagnosed, a report containing the patient’s name is submitted to the public health authority. The data helps to monitor the incidence of infection and prevent further transmission.
Treating hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is not usually treated during the first six months following infection. For chronic hepatitis C, there are several medicines available, most of which are well tolerated. They prevent the hepatitis C virus from multiplying further in the body.
The treatment usually lasts between eight and twelve weeks. In certain cases, it may last 16 or 24 weeks, for example in cases of liver cirrhosis or if treatment has already been undertaken previously.
It is important to be aware of potential interactions. Hepatitis C medicines can interact with other medicines, herbal remedies or drugs. This can reduce their effectiveness. However, it can also lead to an overdose, with severe side effects.
You should therefore talk to your doctors about any other medicines, drugs or substances you are taking.
Hepatitis C and pregnancy
If you have chronic hepatitis C and would like to become pregnant or could become pregnant, it is advisable to seek treatment before you become pregnant, if possible. Medicines for hepatitis C are not authorised for use during pregnancy.
Certain contraceptives should not be used in combination with certain hepatitis C medicines. You should discuss which combinations are suitable with your doctor.
During pregnancy, invasive tests such as amniocentesis should be avoided where possible. This is because HCV can be transmitted from the pregnant person to the baby.
Based on current knowledge, a caesarean section is not necessary. There does not appear to be any significant risk of transmission whilst breastfeeding. If you experience any injuries or inflammation of the nipple, you should seek medical advice.
Hepatitis C and HIV
In Germany, an estimated 10 to 15 per cent of people with HIV also have hepatitis C.
If the immune system is weakened by an untreated HIV infection, chronic hepatitis C can progress more rapidly. Liver failure also occurs more frequently in such cases.
People living with HIV can take hepatitis C medication. If HIV medication is also being taken, potential interactions must be taken into account.
People living with HIV are advised to have an HCV test once a year.
Frequently asked questions
How is hepatitis C transmitted?
Hepatitis C is mainly transmitted through blood. This occurs particularly frequently when people share needles or other drug-taking equipment. There may also be a risk when getting a tattoo or piercing. Hepatitis C is rarely transmitted through sex.
What symptoms can hepatitis C cause?
Many people initially have no symptoms, or only a few. Flu-like symptoms or a yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes may occur. In cases of chronic hepatitis C, fatigue, upper abdominal discomfort, itching or joint pain may occur.
Can hepatitis C become chronic?
Yes. Most infections become chronic. Without treatment, the liver can be damaged. Possible consequences include cirrhosis, liver failure or, less commonly, liver cancer.
Can hepatitis C be cured?
Yes. Chronic hepatitis C is almost always curable. Treatment usually lasts between eight and twelve weeks. In some cases, it may take longer.
How can I protect myself against hepatitis C?
When using drugs, you should only use your own syringes and equipment. When getting a tattoo or piercing, good hygiene is essential. During sex, condoms, new gloves when fisting and cleaned sex toys can reduce the risk.
