Hepatitis C: The Silent Threat to Your Liver

Hepatitis C is another viral infection of the liver that is extremely common in Pakistan. Like hepatitis B, it can silently damage the liver for decades before causing cirrhosis or liver cancer. But unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C — and yet, hepatitis C is now completely curable with medication.

What is hepatitis C? Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is spread through blood-to-blood contact.

How is hepatitis C spread?

• Reusing needles or syringes (especially common in unsafe medical practices)
• Unscreened blood transfusions
• Sharing razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers
• Unsterilised medical, dental, or barber equipment
• Tattooing or piercing with unsterilised tools

Hepatitis C is NOT spread by casual contact — hugging, sharing food, or coughing.

Why is hepatitis C called "silent"? Most people with hepatitis C have no symptoms for 10, 20, or even 30 years. The virus slowly damages the liver. By the time symptoms appear, the liver may already be severely scarred (cirrhosis) or cancer may have developed.

Who should get tested? In Pakistan, hepatitis C is so common that ALL adults should be tested at least once. You should definitely get tested if you:

• Have ever had a blood transfusion
• Have had medical or dental procedures with unsterilised equipment
• Have shared razors or personal items
• Have a tattoo or piercing
• Have ever used injected drugs
• Have abnormal liver blood tests
• Are pregnant

What are the symptoms? When symptoms do appear, they include:

• Fatigue
• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Abdominal pain (right side)
• Dark urine
• Loss of appetite
• Joint pain
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen (in advanced disease)

The good news — hepatitis C is curable: Modern antiviral medications (called DAAs — direct-acting antivirals) can cure hepatitis C in over 95% of cases with just 8–12 weeks of pills. The treatment has minimal side effects. This is one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of recent years.

If you have hepatitis C:

• See a liver specialist or gastroenterologist.
• Start treatment — it is available in Pakistan at government hospitals and private centres.
• Avoid alcohol completely.
• Get vaccinated against hepatitis A and B (if not already immune).

Preventing hepatitis C: Since there is no vaccine, prevention means:

• Ensuring all medical and dental equipment is sterilised
• Never sharing razors, toothbrushes, or nail clippers
• Ensuring any blood transfusion is from screened donors
• Using only sterile equipment for tattoos and piercings

Key message: Hepatitis C is common in Pakistan and silently damages the liver for decades — but it is now completely curable with a short course of medication. If you have never been tested, get a simple blood test today. If you are positive, treatment can cure you and prevent liver cancer. Do not delay — early treatment saves lives and livers.