Hepatitis C virus infection or HCV, is a virus that infects the liver. It may cause inflammation and fibrosis (scarring) of the liver, which in some people can progress to cause non-reversible liver damage such as cirrhosis.

Co-infection means being infected with more than one virus. Some people with HCV infection may also be infected with HIV or Hepatitis B virus.

For the majority of HCV-infected persons, the symptoms are non-specific and may include chronic fatigue, joint and muscle aches and pains, discomfort in the liver area, low mood , and poor concentration. However many infected persons have no symptoms.

The virus may cause:

• Dryness of the mouth and eyes
• Itchy skin
• Inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis)
• Thyroid gland dysfunction
• Insulin resistance and diabetes
• Increased risk of some types of cancer, such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Current anti-viral drug treatments can lead to a cure for the majority of patients with HCV. Treatment can clear the HCV virus from the body, meaning that the person is no longer infected and can no longer infect other people. Eradicating the HCV virus from the body improves liver wellness and general wellbeing

Until late 2014, the treatment options in Ireland for HCV meant taking a combination of an injection (Interferon) with tablets (Ribavirin). In 2015, new and more successful treatments for HCV became available and are now the mainstay of therapy. These new drugs are called Directly Acting Antivirals (DAAs) and offer a cure for Hepatitis C in the majority of patients including ptients who have HCV-induced cirrhosis.

DAA drugs work by blocking specific parts of the HCV virus directly, inhibiting or preventing many viral proteins from being produced by the HCV virus. DAA drug regimens usually consist of two or three drugs in combination, sometimes in a single pill, once or twice a day, all-oral (no injections) for 8-12 weeks. For some patients without advanced liver disease who have never had drug treatment in the past (treatment-naive), 8 weeks of DAA therapy is sufficient.

Published data from clinical trials report that more than 96% of patients prescribed DAA therapies will successfully clear eradicate) the HCV virus. 12 weeks after completion of DAA therapy, a HCVRNA blood test is taken to assess for “sustained virologic response” or cure. This is commonly called the SVR12 HCVRNA test by doctors.

Hepatitis B virus infection, or HBV, is a virus that infects the liver. For some people, hepatitis B infection becomes chronic, meaning it stays in the body for more than six months. Having chronic hepatitis B increases your risk of developing liver failure, liver cancer or cirrhosis

Most people who become infected with hepatitis B as adults (>95%)  have immune systems that are able to eradicate the virus without the need for antiviral drug therapy and they recover fully.

However, infants and children less than 5 years old who are exposed to HBV infection, are more likely to develop chronic hepatitis B infection. A vaccine can prevent hepatitis B. If you have chronic HBV infection, taking certain precautions can help prevent spreading HBV to others.

Signs and symptoms of hepatitis B, ranging from mild to severe, usually appear about one to four months after acute HBV infection.

Signs and symptoms of acute hepatitis B may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Dark urine
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Weakness and fatigue
• Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)

Signs and symptoms of chronic hepatitis B:

• frequently none, most people have no symptoms.

Sharing needles - HBV is transmitted through needles and syringes contaminated with infected blood. Sharing drug paraphernalia puts you at high risk of hepatitis B.

Accidental needle sticks - Hepatitis B is a concern for health care workers who come in contact with infected human blood.

Mother to child - Pregnant women infected with HBV can pass the virus to their babies during childbirth. However, the newborn can be vaccinated to avoid prevent chronic infection.

Sexual contact - Infection can occur through unprotected sex with an infected partner whose blood, saliva, semen or vaginal secretions enter your body.

If you suspect you may have hepatitis B, you should attend your doctor for an examination and blood tests. Blood tests can determine if you have the virus in your system (hepatitis B surface antigen), and whether it is acute or chronic. Further blood tests can tell how much virus (HBV viral load) is in your body.

A FibroScan® can assess how much damage (fibrosis) the virus has caused to your liver. Sometimes a liver biopsy may also be necessary.