HCV

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes hepatitis C, a disease that affects the liver. Similarly to hepatitis B, hepatitis C can cause both acute and chronic infections. Unlike hepatitis B, the acute form of hepatitis C usually has no symptoms and disappears from the body in 15-45% of infected people without any treatment. The remaining 55-85%, however, develop a chronic, lifelong infection, which often results in cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis is characterized by a replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue, which causes the liver to stop functioning normally. This can cause a build-up of fluid in the abdomen, which can become spontaneously infected. It can also cause hepatic comas, dilated and bleeding esophagus and intestinal veins, and liver cancer, all of which can lead to death.

The World Health Organization estimates that around 140 million people worldwide are chronically infected by HCV. Five-hundred thousand people die annually of HCV-related complications, such as liver cancer and cirrhosis. There is currently no vaccine for HCV, but antiviral treatments are effective in about 90% of cases where they are applied.

To learn more about Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens visit our Cal/OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Online Training web page.