The Truth Behind 5 Hepatitis C Myths

Chronic hepatitis C is a very common medical condition. Millions of people in the U.S. are living with hepatitis C. While there’s a lot of quality information out there about hepatitis C, sometimes it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Let’s take a look at the truth behind five common myths and misconceptions about hepatitis C.

Myth 1: Hepatitis C goes away on its own

The real story: Hepatitis C can go away on its own, but it usually doesn’t. 

When a person comes in contact with the hepatitis C virus, they can develop hepatitis C infection. Sometimes the immune system is able to fight off the hepatitis C virus. In these cases, hepatitis C infection goes away. But this only happens in about 1 out of every 4 people who develop hepatitis C. 

Most of the time, the immune system can’t fight off the hepatitis C virus. This leads to chronic hepatitis C infection, which can lead to cirrhosis — serious liver damage — and other medical problems. 

Most people with chronic hepatitis C don’t have any symptoms, which is why testing for hepatitis C is so important. The CDC recommends that everyone get tested for hepatitis C. That way people can start treatment early, before liver damage develops.  

Myth 2: Hepatitis C is only spread by sex

The real story: Hepatitis C can spread from person to person through sex, but it’s not common.

Usually people are exposed to the hepatitis C virus from contact with other people’s blood. The most common way the hepatitis C virus passes from person to person is through needle sharing. 

You can also come in contact with the hepatitis C virus if you:

• Get a piercing or tattoo with needles that aren’t sterile

• Are a healthcare worker and get a needlestick injury

Children can be born with hepatitis C if their parent has hepatitis C during pregnancy. 

Myth 3: Hepatitis C only affects the liver

The real story: Chronic hepatitis C can affect other organs besides the liver. That means people can develop other medical conditions because of chronic hepatitis C.

If chronic hepatitis C isn’t treated, people can develop liver damage and liver cancer. But hepatitis C also can damage other parts of the body and cause other medical conditions, like:

• Blood disorders: The hepatitis C virus can lower white blood cells, making it harder for people to fight off infections. Hepatitis C can also decrease platelets, which are the cells in the blood that help form clots. This can lead to immune thrombocytopenia, a chronic condition.

• Diabetes: Hepatitis C causes insulin resistance, which can eventually cause someone to develop diabetes. 

• Arthritis: Hepatitis C can lead to joint pain and swelling. It can also cause some people to develop arthritis.

• Kidney disease: Hepatitis C can cause the immune system to accidentally damage the kidneys, leading to chronic kidney disease.

• Lymphoma: People with chronic hepatitis C are more likely to get non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, blood cancer that starts in the immune system. 

Myth 4: There’s no treatment for hepatitis C

The real story: Direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAT) are medications that can cure hepatitis C.

In the past, people with chronic hepatitis C would have the condition for the rest of their lives. But now with treatment, DAATs can cure most people in as little as 8 to 12 weeks. Once cured, they’re no longer at risk for ongoing liver damage or cancer. 

Even people who already have liver damage from hepatitis C can benefit from DAAT medications, which include:

• Harvoni (ledipasvir/sofosbuvir)

• Epclusa (sofosbuvir/velpatasvir)

• Mavyret (glecaprevir/pibrentasvir)

These medications come in pill form that you take once a day. Most people experience very few side effects. 

Myth 5: You can only get hepatitis C once

The real story: If you had chronic hepatitis C and were cured with DAAT, you are not immune to the hepatitis C virus. That means you can get hepatitis C again if you’re exposed to the virus in the future. 

Some viruses, like chicken pox or measles, can only infect you once. That means once you get exposed to the virus, you can’t get it again. But the hepatitis C virus can infect you more than once. So it’s important to protect yourself from getting exposed to the virus again. 

To help prevent infection:

• Avoid intravenous (IV) drug use. 

• Always use a sterile syringe if you choose to engage in IV drug use.

• Never share needles. 

• Do not share personal hygiene items, like toothbrushes or razors, with someone who has chronic hepatitis C.

• Only get tattoos and/or body piercings at facilities that are licensed and use sterile equipment.

• Use condoms and other safe-sex practices.

• Wear gloves if you come in contact with blood or bodily fluids.

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Written by:

Shiv Sudhakar, MD

Shiv Sudhakar, MD, is a fellow of the Infectious Disease Society of America and works as a physician in California. He has co-authored over 10 peer-reviewed research articles, published several short stories, had a script recently optioned, and presented 20 scientific presentations, two of which placed in the top 3 at the American College of Physicians.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

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