Hepatitis C (HCV) is a virus that attacks the liver. The good news: modern medicines cure most people. The tricky part: many people don’t know they have it. This page tells you what to do if you think you were exposed, what tests to expect, and how treatment works in plain language.
Start with a simple antibody blood test. If it’s positive, the lab will or should follow with an HCV RNA (viral load) test to confirm active infection. Antibodies can take a few weeks to show up; the RNA test can detect the virus earlier. If you’ve had recent exposure, ask your clinic for RNA testing directly.
Who should get tested? People who inject drugs, anyone born 1945–1965 or with long-term liver concerns, people with blood transfusions before 1992, sexual partners of infected people, and those with HIV. If you’re pregnant, testing is routine in many places because mother-to-child transmission can occur.
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are the main treatment now. Most regimens last 8–12 weeks and cure over 95% of people. “Cure” means the virus becomes undetectable months after finishing treatment. Before starting, your doctor will check liver health (blood tests, sometimes FibroScan or ultrasound) and screen for other infections like HIV and hepatitis B.
Talk about drug interactions. Some common meds or supplements can affect DAAs. Always give your provider a full list of prescriptions and over-the-counter products. If you have cirrhosis, your care plan will include regular liver cancer checks and closer follow-up even after the virus is gone.
Practical steps you can take now:
- Get tested if you think you were exposed or fall into a risk group. Don’t wait for symptoms; most people feel fine for years.
- If positive, ask for a treatment referral. Many primary care clinics and telehealth services now prescribe DAAs.
- Avoid alcohol and discuss supplements with your provider—both can harm an inflamed liver.
- Get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B if you aren’t already protected. Those vaccines reduce added liver risk.
Prevention basics: don’t share needles or personal items that may have blood (razors, toothbrushes), choose licensed tattoo/piercing shops with sterile gear, and use condoms when blood exposure is possible. These steps cut the risk of spread.
If you’re scared or overwhelmed, that’s normal. A quick test and one short treatment course can change everything. Reach out to a clinic, harm-reduction service, or your primary care provider — curing hepatitis C is realistic for most people and the first step toward protecting your long-term health.
