What is hepatitis C?
The hepatitis C virus infects the liver, causing a bloodborne infection that has historically caused serious long-term liver damage. With highly effective modern treatments, the vast majority of people who contract hepatitis C can now be cured. Hepatitis C infection occurs in nearly every part of the world, but is more common in some countries of Asia, Africa, central and eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The World Health Organization estimates 47 million people have chronic hepatitis C globally, with 0.9 million new infections occurring per year, with a variety of genotypes and subtypes distributed geographically.
After infection, around one-third of people with hepatitis C clear the virus naturally, while most untreated infections become long term. Long term, or 'chronic' hepatitis C, often causes no symptoms for years or decades but can gradually cause liver damage.
For most Australian travellers, the risk of acquiring hepatitis C is low. Higher-risk situations include medical or dental treatment with inadequately sterilised equipment, overseas medical or cosmetic procedures, and tattoos or piercings using contaminated instruments. Any activity involving blood-to-blood contact carries greater risk, especially when infection-control standards cannot be verified.
FAQs
I had a medical procedure or blood transfusion overseas. Should I get tested for hepatitis C?
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If you had a blood transfusion, injection, medical procedure or dental treatment overseas, particularly where infection-control standards may be less consistent, speak with your GP about hepatitis C testing. Hepatitis C often causes no symptoms for years, but a simple blood test can detect infection. Treatment is highly effective.
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?
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No. There is currently no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. The best protection is avoiding exposure to infected blood, including through medical or dental procedures, injections, tattoos or piercings where sterile equipment cannot be assured. If you are travelling overseas, discuss your itinerary and any planned medical or cosmetic procedures with a travel doctor before departure.
Can hepatitis C be passed through sex?
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Sexual transmission of hepatitis C is possible, although the risk is low in long-term heterosexual relationships. Risk is higher with condomless anal sex, group sex and sexual activity involving blood or genital inflammation. Hepatitis C is not spread through everyday contact such as hugging, kissing, sharing food or drinks, coughing or sneezing. Condoms can reduce the risk of sexual transmission.
I had hepatitis C in the past and cleared it. Can I get it again?
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Yes. Clearing hepatitis C, either naturally or after treatment, does not provide lasting immunity. You can be infected again following a new exposure to the virus. If you have ongoing risk factors, such as injecting drug use or sexual exposure involving blood, regular testing for reinfection is recommended. Hepatitis C is now curable in more than 95% of people with current treatments available in Australia.
What to Know
Hepatitis C Symptoms
Hepatitis C symptoms differ between the acute and chronic phases. During the first few weeks to months after infection, most people have no symptoms. Only around one in three develop symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, reduced appetite, abdominal discomfort or, occasionally, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Symptoms are often mild and nonspecific, so acute infection is rarely diagnosed. Some people clear the virus naturally during this phase.
Around 75% of people develop chronic hepatitis C, which can remain symptom-free for years or decades while liver damage gradually accumulates. Symptoms may not appear for 20–30 years and, when they do, often reflect established liver disease rather than the infection itself.
Serious complications include liver scarring (fibrosis), which can progress to cirrhosis, causing fatigue, abdominal fluid retention, easy bruising and, in advanced cases, confusion. Chronic hepatitis C also increases the risk of liver cancer and is a major cause of liver transplantation in Australia. These complications are largely preventable with timely diagnosis and treatment.
Hepatitis C Diagnosis and Treatment
Hepatitis C is diagnosed with two blood tests. An antibody test detects past exposure, while an HCV RNA test confirms whether the virus is currently present. RNA testing is also used after previous treatment or clearance and following recent potential exposure.
Active hepatitis C can be cured in more than 95% of people with direct-acting antivirals. In Australia, these medicines are available through the PBS and can be prescribed by GPs or specialists. Treatment is usually once daily for 8–12 weeks, is generally well tolerated, and includes pan-genotypic options such as glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir. Cure is confirmed by an HCV RNA test 12 weeks after treatment.
Treatment is beneficial even when liver fibrosis has already developed, as clearing the virus can prevent further damage and reduce the risk of complications. People with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis may need ongoing liver monitoring even after cure.
Anyone concerned about exposure through an overseas medical procedure, injecting drug use, unsterile tattoos or piercings, or other blood contact should speak with a GP about testing. Early diagnosis allows treatment before significant liver damage develops.
Hepatitis C Prevention
There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, so prevention relies on avoiding blood-to-blood contact. For Australian travellers, avoid tattoos, piercings and elective medical or dental procedures overseas unless sterile, single-use equipment is used. Where infection-control standards are uncertain, consider delaying elective procedures until returning to Australia.
Injecting drug use is a major route of hepatitis C transmission. Never share needles, syringes or other injecting equipment, and use new or sterile equipment every time. Sexual transmission is less common but can occur, particularly where blood is present. Condoms reduce this risk. People taking HIV PrEP should have regular hepatitis C testing as part of routine monitoring.
If you may have been exposed overseas, speak with a GP about testing after returning to Australia. Most infections cause no obvious symptoms, so a blood test is needed. Confirmed infection can usually be cured with a short course of well-tolerated tablets.