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Hepatitis C How Do You Get Hepatitis C? Hepatitis C has likely been around for decades. For many years, health professionals noticed that some people would develop a “transfusion hepatitis” after getting blood transfusions. Later they named this type of liver infection, non-A, non-B. Although not a very inventive name, it basically meant that it was liver infection that was not due to the Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B viruses. Finally in the late 1980’s, scientists were able to identify the virus responsible for most non-A, non-B Hepatitis . They named it Hepatitis C. There is often confusion about the different hepatitis infections and how you can get them. The most common hepatitis viruses that we see are Hepatitis A, B, and C (although others do exist). Hepatitis A is usually transmitted through contaminated foods and fluids. Hepatitis C is usually transmitted from infected blood. Hepatitis B is very easy to transmit through blood and is commonly spread through sexual contact. Blood transfusions used to be a source for Hepatitis B and C infections but now the blood bank screens all blood for these viruses. Hepatitis A & B can be prevented with vaccines. Hepatitis C can be treated with medication. Contact: Mount Carmel Clinic at 582-2311 for further information about Hepatitis C and other types of Hepatitis. Source: Community Hep C Clinic |
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