
- HCV is spread through a carrier, which is someone who has the virus in his or her blood.
- A carrier may or may not have symptoms of HCV.
- Since the virus is in the blood, it can spread through exposure to blood or, rarely, bodily fluids of a carrier. This can happen through
- IV drug use.
- Contaminated needles.
- Being born to a mother with HCV.
- Less often, it can be spread through
- High-risk sexual behavior (especially if you are HIV positive).- Women with HCV should avoid sex during menstruation.
- Sharing personal care items that could have a carrier’s blood, such as razors, toothbrushes, communal tattoo needles and unsterilized manicure and pedicure tools.

- The liver is one of the most important organs in your body.
- It weighs about three pounds.
- It sits on the upper right side of the torso, below the ribs.
- The liver
- Makes bile.
- Cleans alcohol and poisons from your system.
- Stores certain vitamins, minerals, sugars and iron.
- Filters and detoxifies chemicals in what you eat, breathe and absorb through the skin.
- Regulates fat stores and controls the making and release of cholesterol.
- Kills poisonous substances.
- Changes the food you eat into energy, clotting factors, immune factors, hormones and proteins.
- Breaks down drugs and medications.
Many cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are not found, because there are no symptoms or the symptoms are vague and may seem like the flu. Symptoms may start from two weeks to six months after exposure, though the average is six to seven weeks.