Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
HCV is spread through sex and contact with infected blood. This can occur during shared needle use (intravenous drug use), sex, contaminated needles used in tattoos and substance use, from mother to child, and other blood exposures.
Many HCV cases are asymptomatic during initial, acute infection.
Over half of people infected with HCV develop a chronic infection. Untreated chronic HCV can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
In 2023, there were 101,525 cases of newly reported chronic HCV in the United States.
HCV can be treatable, especially if caught early. Treatment is recommended for individuals with chronic HCV who are 3 years or age and older.
Screening for Hepatitis C Virus
Adults and Pregnant Persons
Many people with HCV are unaware they are infected. It is important to know your HCV status.
HCV screening typically is done with an HCV antibody test. If the antibody test is positive, an HCV RNA (PCR) test should be completed to determine if an individual is currently infected.
Infants and older children who are born to mothers with confirmed or suspected HCV should complete HCV screening.
Screening of infants at risk for HCV may be accomplished by either:
a blood test for HCV antibody at age 18 months or older, or
with an HCV PCR blood test at age 2-6 months, or
at age 7-17 months if testing is delayed.
HCV screening in children can be done by a primary physician, pediatrician or other health care provider.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic at UBMD Pediatrics/Golisano Children’s Hospital welcomes referrals for infant HCV screening and management of infected infants or children. Please call 716-323-0150 for referrals and appointments.