Home
Bupa members

Support and offers for individual members and customers

Hepatitis C Q&As

Published by Bupa's health information team, March 2009.

Answers to questions about hepatitis C

This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.

 

Why do I need more than one test to see if I'm infected with hepatitis C?

The initial screening test for hepatitis C is an antibody test, which will be positive if you have hepatitis C or were infected in the past. The test doesn't tell your GP if you're currently infected with hepatitis C. The second test is a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, which looks for the hepatitis C virus in your bloodstream. If this test is positive, you have hepatitis C.

Explanation

There are two main types of blood test that can be done to see if you have hepatitis C. Antibody tests look for antibodies (types of protein) in your blood that are made by your body to fight the hepatitis C virus. It doesn't look for the actual virus itself. The result from this test can be difficult for your doctor to interpret because it takes time (up to six months) for your body to make the right antibody for hepatitis C. If you're tested too soon after you have become infected, the result could wrongly show that you're not infected. Also, the test will be positive even if you had the virus a long time ago and you're no longer infected.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test is a blood test that looks for viral genetic material. It's used to see if you're still infected with hepatitis C. Most people who test positive for antibodies will also test positive for the virus. A negative PCR test may suggest that you're no longer infected but this will need to be confirmed with a second test after a period of three to six months.

If you're infected with hepatitis C, liver function tests are often used to see if your liver is damaged, by checking for certain chemicals in your blood. Your GP may suggest that these tests are done if he or she thinks that you might have liver damage.

Further information

Sources

back to top

How does hepatitis C differ from hepatitis A, B, D and E?

Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common viral hepatitis infections in the UK. Hepatitis B, C and D tend to be chronic infections (lasting more than six months) and can cause long-term liver problems. You can only get hepatitis D if you already have hepatitis B. Hepatitis A and E infections are generally acute (only lasting a few weeks or months) and are usually mild diseases.

Explanation

There are five types of hepatitis virus - A, B, C, D and E. They all attack and damage the liver. You usually get hepatitis A and E infections from close personal contact with an infected person or by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. Although it's rare that food or water contains hepatitis A, certain types of shellfish (eg mussels, oysters, and clams), and food that has been washed in contaminated water can contain the virus. Hepatitis B, C and D are spread when an infected person's blood enters your bloodstream. Hepatitis D is an incomplete virus which needs you to already have hepatitis B for it to survive in your body. Only around one in 20 people with hepatitis B also have hepatitis D.

Hepatitis B, C and D infections can cause long-term liver problems, but hepatitis A and E infections don't. There are vaccines available that can protect you from hepatitis A and hepatitis B infection, but there is currently no vaccine to protect you from hepatitis C, D or E.

As hepatitis A and E are short-lived infections, they usually resolve without treatment. Because hepatitis B and hepatitis C (and hepatitis D if you already have hepatitis B) can cause long-term damage to your liver, it's important that you're assessed by an infection specialist or a hepatologist (a doctor specialising in liver diseases) as you may require antiviral medication to treat these infections. If you have had one type of viral hepatitis in the past, it's still possible to get the other types.

Further information

Sources

  • Hepatitis D and E. British Liver Trust. www.britishlivertrust.org.uk, accessed 21 August 2008
  • Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:496-497

  • Fish and shellfish. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 13 July 2008
  • Immunizations - travel - background information. Hepatitis A. Clinical Knowledge Summaries. http://cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 13 July 2008
back to top

I have hepatitis C and I'm pregnant. Will I pass hepatitis C to my child and should I stop breastfeeding?

If you test positive for hepatitis C and are pregnant, there is a small chance that your baby could become infected, usually at the time of birth. Your doctor will discuss this risk with you during your pregnancy.

Explanation

If you have hepatitis C and are pregnant, there is a very small chance that your baby could also become infected. This infection is most commonly passed on to the baby at the time of birth, because of a possible transfer of blood. If you have a difficult delivery, it's more likely that your baby will become infected.

If you have hepatitis C, your baby might test positive for hepatitis C antibodies (protein in the blood produced by the body to try and fight the infection). If your baby does test positive, it doesn't necessarily mean that he or she is infected with the virus. If the antibodies disappear by the time your baby is 12 to 18 months old, your baby probably got the antibodies from you.

It's generally thought that breastfeeding is safe if you have hepatitis C infection but no symptoms. However, it could be possible for you to infect your baby if you have cracked nipples that bleed when breastfeeding and your baby has a cut in his or her mouth. However, this risk is very low.

Specific interventions such as caesarean section aren't recommended for pregnant women with hepatitis C as the risks and potential complications are thought to outweigh any possible benefits. Your doctor will discuss the risk of passing your hepatitis C infection to your baby and he or she may suggest ways of minimising this risk

.

Further information

Sources

  • Prevention. Hepatitis C. British Liver Trust. www.britishlivertrust.org.uk, accessed 22 August 2008
  • Simon C, Everitt H, Kendrick T. Oxford Handbook of General Practice. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007:496-497
back to top

Related topics

back to top

This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.

Publication date: March 2009

 

Rate this page

Up to £100 off a Bupa Health assessment

Bupa health insurance

Free online health check

Bupa Care Homes

Bupa travel cover