2820 Mt. Rushmore Road
Rapid City, SD 57701
The most common blood-borne infection in the United States, Hepatitis C is a viral infection that creates inflammation in the liver and may lead to other bodily damage. Over time, Hepatitis C can lead to significant health complications including cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even liver failure.
Similar to other forms of hepatitis, infected individuals may have acute Hepatitis C or chronic Hepatitis C. All chronic Hepatitis C infections begin with acute Hepatitis C, becoming chronic Hepatitis C after being infected for more than six months. However, not all acute Hepatitis C infections become chronic Hepatitis C as a result of spontaneous viral clearance. Both forms can be treated with proper medication.
Hepatitis C often shows no symptoms and is primarily found via routine blood tests and when donating blood. Those with Hepatitis C may experience symptoms including fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, lack of appetite, weight loss, bleeding/bruising, swelling in the legs, and discomfort in the upper body.
Spread throughout the body when coming into contact with contaminated blood from another infected person, Hepatitis C can lead to a variety of negative outcomes in the body over time including cirrhosis, or bruising of the liver, liver cancer, and even liver failure in some cases.
Hepatitis C is typically diagnosed following routine blood tests or when donating blood. More often than not, those living with Hepatitis C may not even know that they have the infection until their blood labs show abnormalities. A variety of lab tests used to assess liver damage can identify the extent to which Hepatitis C has affected your liver.
The following people are at an increased risk for Hepatitis C:
Thanks to the advancement of modern medicine, Hepatitis C has become increasingly curable, with medications now available to shorten the length of treatment, eliminate side effects, and eradicate Hepatitis C from an infected person’s body.
Hepatitis C can be prevented by eliminating the use of illicit drugs, ensuring safe contact with needles when getting tattoos and piercing, limiting alcohol consumption, and by practicing safe sex.
