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MONDAY, June 12, 2023 (HealthDay News) -- Hepatitis C can ruin your liver, and there's no vaccine to prevent it, but you can take steps to lower your chances of infection.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 2 million U.S. adults are infected with hepatitis C. The virus strikes the liver and is one of the leading causes of liver transplantation in the United States. When first exposed to the virus, it can remain undetected and cause harm without the individual knowing they are infected. Hepatitis C can result in liver scarring, cancer and death.
While there are vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B, viruses that also affect the liver, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Here, you will find information about how you can protect yourself against this disease.
Dr. Stacey Rizza answers this question in an article for the Mayo Clinic: “The hepatitis C virus is more variable than hepatitis A and hepatitis B viruses. Hepatitis C occurs in at least seven genetically distinct forms (genotypes) with multiple subtypes. About 60 subtypes have been identified. Different genotypes cause infections in different parts of the world. A global vaccine would have to protect against all variants of the virus.”
Another issue with developing the vaccine is the ethical costs and concerns with an animal model that would be used to test the vaccine. Those ethical costs are weighed against the fact that there are antiviral medications that can cure hepatitis C for 95% of patients.
Rizza also noted there is an ongoing therapeutic vaccine trial. This vaccine would help people with chronic hepatitis C by bolstering the body's immune response to fight the infection.
The hepatitis C virus is transmitted through exposure to blood from an infected person. According to the CDC, this often occurs from sharing needles, syringes or any other equipment used to prepare and inject drugs.
The Veterans Administration recommends taking the following measures to prevent exposure to hepatitis C:
If you suspect you may have been exposed or have symptoms of this virus, seek medical care. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include fatigue, nausea, yellowing of the skin, weight loss, confusion, swelling and itchy skin, among others.
The Veterans Administration lists the following free resources:
While there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, there are steps you can take to avoid infection.