Asymptomatic ≠ Not Infected, Let’s Get to Know This “Hidden Silent Killer”

March 18th of every year is World Liver Health Day. This year's theme is "Integrating Chinese and Western medicine to reverse liver cirrhosis."

The liver is known as the "silent organ" of the human body, which undertakes important functions such as metabolism, detoxification, and protein synthesis. However, in Jiangsu Province, hepatitis C (HCV) is still a major public health issue threatening public health.

In this issue, let us fight this “hidden silent killer” together, master scientific prevention and control knowledge, and work together to safeguard a healthy future.

1. Hepatitis C

Why is it called the "silent killer"?

The biggest feature of hepatitis C is that it is highly hidden . Many infected people do not feel any discomfort in the early stages, and they may not even notice that the virus has been raging in their bodies for many years. When symptoms appear, many people have already developed chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, or even liver cancer.

Image source: Tencent Medical Dictionary

In Jiangsu Province, although significant progress has been made in the prevention and control of hepatitis C, there are still some infected people who have not been discovered. Due to the hidden nature of HCV transmission, many patients are accidentally found to be infected during blood donation screening, health examinations, or visits for other diseases. Therefore, early screening for hepatitis C is crucial!

2. Hepatitis C

Transmission routes and high-risk groups

1. How is hepatitis C transmitted?

Hepatitis C is not transmitted through air, food, drinking water or daily contact (such as sharing meals, hugging, shaking hands, etc.) , but mainly through blood. The following situations may lead to HCV infection:

Blood transfusion or blood products (Jiangsu Province has strictly controlled it, and the risk of infection from blood transfusion is extremely low after 1998);

Sharing syringes and needles (such as intravenous drug users, dialysis patients and other high-risk groups);

Medical, dental or cosmetic procedures that are not strictly sterilized (such as tattoos, ear piercing, cosmetic injections, etc.);

Mother-to-child transmission (the risk is lower, but an HCV-infected mother can still pass the virus to her baby).

Image source: China CDC AIDS Prevention and Control Center

2. Who are the high-risk groups?

The following groups should undergo HCV testing as soon as possible:

✅ Those who have received blood transfusion or organ transplant (blood transfusion before 1998)

✅ Dialysis patients, HIV infected people

✅ Those who have used intravenous drugs or shared needles in the past

✅ Frequent invasive treatments (such as acupuncture, cosmetic surgery, dental treatment)

✅ People who have tattoos, piercings or use services from informal beauty institutions

✅ Family members and close contacts of HCV infected persons

If you or your relatives and friends belong to the above high-risk groups, it is recommended that you undergo HCV antibody testing as soon as possible to ensure your health and safety.

3. Hepatitis C

It’s preventable, detectable and curable!

1. Hepatitis C is preventable!

Although there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C, we can still reduce our risk of infection by:

Avoid sharing needles and stay away from intravenous drug use;

Choose regular medical institutions for surgery, dental treatment, cosmetic surgery and acupuncture , and ensure strict sterilization of instruments;

Do not share personal care items (such as razors, toothbrushes, nail clippers, etc.);

Medical staff should strengthen occupational protection to reduce the risk of accidental exposure due to needle sticks .

2. How to test for Hepatitis C?

The detection method of hepatitis C is simple and quick. You can consult relevant medical institutions:

Initial screening test: HCV antibody test to determine whether there is a history of infection

Confirmatory testing: HCV RNA testing can determine whether it is an active infection

Early detection and early diagnosis are the key to preventing hepatitis C from progressing to cirrhosis and liver cancer! If you are in a high-risk group, it is recommended to have an HCV test once a year.

3. Hepatitis C is curable!

Today, breakthrough progress has been made in the treatment of hepatitis C. The cure rate of direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) can reach over 95%, and the treatment cycle is short, only 8-12 weeks, with few side effects.

Jiangsu Province has included hepatitis C treatment in medical insurance , which has greatly reduced the financial burden on patients. As long as it is diagnosed in time and receives standardized treatment, hepatitis C is completely curable!

Image source: China CDC AIDS Prevention and Control Center

4. Everyone is

You are the first person responsible for your own health!

Although hepatitis C is insidious, it is not terrible. We need to be vigilant and achieve "early screening, early detection, and early treatment" to prevent it from developing into serious liver disease.

Image source: China CDC AIDS Prevention and Control Center

If you have never been tested for HCV, it is recommended that you go to a hospital or disease control agency for screening as soon as possible!

If you are in a high-risk group, please have regular physical examinations to ensure your liver is healthy!

If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, get treatment as soon as possible; hepatitis C is curable!

The prevention and control of hepatitis C requires the joint efforts of the whole society. Everyone should pay attention to their own health, actively test and receive timely treatment to protect the health of themselves and their families.