Hepatitis C Program
What is Hepatis C?
Hepatitis C is a serious liver disease caused by the Hepatitis C virus. Some people get only a short term, or acute, infection and are able to clear the virus without treatment. If someone clears the virus, this usually happens within 6 months after infection. However, about 80% of people who get infected develop a chronic, or lifelong, infection. Over time, chronic Hepatitis C can cause serious health problems including liver damage, liver failure, and even liver cancer.
Community Care provides support and treatment for those dealing with Hepatitis C through our Addiction Medicine Program.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of Hepatitis C can include: fever, feeling tired, not wanting to eat, upset stomach, throwing up, dark urine, grey-colored stool, joint pain, and yellow skin and eyes. However, many people who get Hepatitis C do not have symptoms and do not know they are infected. If symptoms occur with acute infection, they can appear anytime from 2 weeks to 6 months after infection. Symptoms of chronic Hepatitis C can take decades to develop, and when symptoms do appear, they often are a sign of advanced liver disease.