- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood borne viral infection in the United States.

- Hepatitis C virus is transmitted by contact with infected blood or contact with items exposed to infected blood. These items include injection equipment, crack pipes, straws used to sniff drugs, non professional tattoos & body piercing equipment. Although HCV is not easily spread through sex, there are a growing number of cases reported with the mode of transmission being sexual.

- Hepatitis C ten times more infectious than HIV.

- The infection can cause inflammation of the liver which can progress to fibrosis (scarring of the liver) as well as cirrhosis (advanced scarring). This scarring, in some cases, can lead to liver cancer as well as liver failure. HCV is currently the leading cause of liver transplants.

- Symptoms of HCV include jaundice, fatigue, dark urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite. However, in some cases HCV symptoms can be very mild or non-existent in which case people are dangerously unaware of that they are infected and can unknowingly infect others.

- Although there is currently no vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C, treatment can help reduce or prevent the virus from reproducing in the body as well as slow the progression of the disease.

- The CDC estimates that there are 4.1 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C.

- An estimated 8,000- 10,000 deaths per year in the US are attributed to hepatitis C.

- Approximately one quarter of those infected with HIV in the US are also co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

- Among HIV infected injection drug users co-infection with HIV and HCV is quite common with an estimated 50%-90% co-infected.

- Co-infection has been associated with a quicker progression of HCV related liver disease as well as an increased risk of HCV related cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver.

HEPATITIS C AND LOS ANGELES

- In Los Angeles County, an estimated 135,000 people are currently infected with hepatitis C.

- According to a CDC demonstration project, hepatitis C rates among those who inject drugs in Los Angeles County are as high as 67.8%.

- In Los Angeles County, there are more people infected with hepatitis C than with HIV.

HEPATITIS C AND CALIFORNIA

- Currently there are an estimated 650,000 people living with hepatitis C in the State of California.

- Each year an estimated 5,000 Californians are newly infected with hepatitis C.

- An estimated 135,000 Angelinos are infected with HCV.

- Among high risk populations, such as injection drug users, the HVC rates are much higher. Data from a CDC demonstration project in Los Angeles County found rates as high as 67.8% among this high risk group.

HEPATITIS C PREVENTION

- Do not share injection equipment such as needles, water, syringes, cookers, cottons or ties.

- Make sure only sterilized or disposable needles are used when getting a tattoo or body piercing.

- Do not share personal hygiene items, such as toothbrushes, razor or clippers.

- Avoid contact with anything which may have been contaminated with another persons blood or body fluid.

- Using latex condoms may help prevent transmission through sexual intercourse.

Information taken from the Hepatitis C Task Force LA County Resource Guide