What is hepatitis C?

SINGAPORE — The Singapore General Hospital (SGH) today (Oct 6) revealed that 22 people had been infected with Hepatitis C at its renal ward earlier this year. Here is more information about the virus:

The hepatitis C virus can cause liver disease. Acute infection is usually asymptomatic — a patient is a carrier but experiences no symptoms. It is very rarely associated with life-threatening disease.

Based on the World Health Organization fact sheet on hepatitis C, about 15 to 45 per cent of infected persons spontaneously clear the virus within six months of infection without any treatment. The remaining will develop chronic infection, with a 15 to 30 per cent risk of cirrhosis — or hardening — of the liver within 20 years. Some develop liver cancer.

The hepatitis C virus is blood-borne, and the incubation period is between two weeks and six months.

It is largely transmitted by blood and blood products. Infections may be acquired via intravenous drug abuse, tattooing and accidental needle stick injury, among other possible means.

The prevalence rate of hepatitis C in the general population of Singapore is about 0.3 per cent. Transplant patients have a higher prevalence rate. Globally, about 130 to 150 million people have chronic hepatitis C infection. Antiviral medicines can cure approximately 90 per cent of infected persons.