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Hepatitis C: A Curable Infection
For a long time, a Hepatitis C diagnosis came with uncertainty and fear. Today, the story is completely different. Thanks to major advances in treatment, Hepatitis C is now considered a curable disease for over 95% of people.
The biggest challenge is no longer the treatment itself, but the fact that many people don't know they have the infection because it can remain silent for years. Understanding the risks and the new treatment options is the first step towards a cure.
How Hepatitis C is transmitted
Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver and is transmitted through blood-to-blood contact. It is much more resilient than HIV and can survive on surfaces for a long time.
The most common risks
- Sharing injection drug equipment: This is the primary route of transmission in Canada. This includes not only needles and syringes but also cookers, filters, and water.
- Non-sterile equipment: Getting tattoos or piercings with equipment that has not been properly sterilized.
- Blood transfusions or medical procedures before 1992, before widespread screening of the blood supply was in place.
What about sexual transmission?
The risk of transmitting Hepatitis C through sex is generally low, but it is not zero. The risk increases significantly if blood is present, such as with rough sex, menstruation, or the presence of other STIs that can cause sores or inflammation.
What are the symptoms of Hepatitis C?
The majority of people with Hepatitis C have no symptoms, especially in the early stages. The infection can be silent for decades while slowly damaging the liver.
When symptoms do appear (often during the acute phase, shortly after infection), they can include:
- Significant fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Dark urine or pale stools
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
In the absence of treatment, the infection most often becomes chronic, which can lead to serious liver diseases like cirrhosis and cancer.
A cure is now possible with modern treatments
The treatment for Hepatitis C has been revolutionized. The new medications, called Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs), have transformed the prognosis.
- How it works: DAAs are pills taken daily for a short period, typically 8 to 12 weeks.
- Effectiveness: This treatment has a cure rate of over 95%.
- Tolerance: The new medications are very well-tolerated, with few or no side effects for the vast majority of people.
This is one of the greatest medical success stories of recent decades. A once chronic disease can now be completely eliminated from the body simply and effectively.
The first step to a cure: get tested
Because Hepatitis C is often asymptomatic for many years, many people are unaware they are living with the virus until their liver is already damaged. A simple blood test is the only way to know your status.
Screening is particularly recommended if you have ever shared injection equipment, even once, or if you have any of the other risk factors mentioned above.
A partner on your path to a cure
Hepatitis C is a serious infection, but it is no longer a life sentence. With highly effective treatments now available, the journey from diagnosis to cure is clearer than ever.
Our team is here to support you at every step, from answering your questions about screening to helping you manage your treatment. Talk to our pharmacists to learn more in a confidential and non-judgmental environment.
