Your reference for hepatitis C in Quebec
Frequently asked questions about hepatitis C
For more in-depth information, consult our guide or take one of our Hepatitis C training courses.
Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus.. La transmission se fait uniquement par blood-to-blood contact.
Worldwide, in 2020, prevalence* was 56.8 million people, with 290,000 deaths per year. (*Prevalence: Number of cases of a disease in a population at a given time, including both new and old cases.)
In Canada in 2019, the estimated prevalence of chronic HCV was 0.54%, or 387,000 cases.
- It is estimated that 44% of people living with the hepatitis C virus in Canada do not know their status.
- L’hépatite C est une des premières causes de transplantation hépatique au Canada
In Quebec, still in 2019, 1,096 cases of acute, recent or unspecified-stage hepatitis C were reported, representing 13 cases per 100,000 people. The regions most affected are:
- National capital (14 cases per 100,000)
- Montreal (22 cases per 100,000 inhabitants)
- Outaouais (20 cases per 100,000 inhabitants)
- Estrie (19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants)
- Nunavik (14 cases per 100,000 inhabitants)
Sexual transmission is possible, but uncommon. Except in the presence of blood.
Sexual relations including anal penetration, fisting and BDSM sexual practices are more risky.
People under the influence of drugs before and during sex (Chemsex, Party'n play, PnP) are also more at risk: pain is no longer felt, and anal lesions, for example, can go unnoticed and lead to bleeding.
MSM/HIV (Men who have sex with men) are more susceptible to sexual transmission due to more common chemsex practices.
Fatigue and lack of energy are the major symptoms, accounting for 80% of hepatitis C-related symptoms.
The other 20% include muscle and joint pain, skin problems, cryoglobulinemia, irritability, depression, night sweats and nausea. Hepatitis C is said to be a silent disease, because apart from daily fatigue and a constant lack of energy, the majority of patients are asymptomatic.
Cirrhosis is a diffuse disease of the liver that causes scarring or lesions. The development of these lesions can lead to the death of liver cells. At this stage, liver cancer develops. As the saying goes, "cirrhosis makes the bed for cancer".
Cirrhosis, which is often asymptomatic at first (compensated cirrhosis), can evolve into decompensated cirrhosis several years later, giving rise to various complications (ascites, encephalopathy, jaundice, or digestive haemorrhage linked to ruptured oesophageal varices), preventing the liver from performing its essential functions.
The first step is to detect the presence of antibodies (proteins produced by the immune system to neutralize an intruder). There are several possible techniques:
- Traditional blood sampling
- A saliva sample, a drop of blood taken from the fingertip, with results in less than 30 minutes.
If the test is positive, antibodies are present and the person tested has been in contact with the hepatitis C virus.
This does not mean that she is a carrier of the disease.. In the first 6 months after infection (acute phase), between 25% and 40% of people spontaneously rid themselves of the virus. In the second phase, if the antibody test is positive, we must perform a second test (RNA) to ensure the presence of the virus in the blood. If the result is still positive, the person tested is diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C, which can only be cured by treatment.
For RNA testing, several technologies and processes are possible, not all of which are yet available in Quebec.
There is currently no vaccine. On the other hand, hepatitis C is treatable and curable in a percentage approaching 97%. However, if you are living with hepatitis C, we recommend that you get vaccinated for hepatitis A and B.
True. Within six months or a year of infection, 25% to 40% of people spontaneously reject the virus.
The new treatments are called second-generation DAAs (direct-acting antivirals). Treatment with the new DAAs is interferon-free. Interferon is no longer used to treat hepatitis C in Canada.
Ribavirin is still prescribed to patients with advanced cirrhosis.
The new treatments target the different proteins involved in viral replication. They work directly inside the cell. Their effectiveness in preventing the virus from replicating means that treatments can be shorter, with higher success rates and, most importantly, fewer side effects. Treatments last from 8 to 16 weeks, depending on the case, and are 97% effective.
So-called "natural" products are by no means harmless or safe. They are also metabolized by the liver and can sometimes be toxic. They may also cause interactions with your medications. Before taking them, you should always seek the advice of a health care professional.
Container labels do not reflect the actual contents.
Be vigilant! There's no miracle plant!
Very few side effects in comparison to previous interferon-based treatments. Headaches, fatigue, nausea.
There is no danger if there is no contact with blood (an open door on each side is necessary, e.g. contact between 2 wounds on 2 people, one of whom is a carrier of the virus).
Les articles de toilette ne se prêtent pas (brosse à dents, rasoir, lime à ongles, etc.)
For a person living with hepatitis C, pregnancy is possible, with a 5.8% risk of transmission to the child. The risk of transmission is much higher if the person is co-infected with HIV.
However, due to lack of data, treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not recommended.
Feel free to take our hepatitis C training courses or contact us, in complete confidentiality!
Montreal : 514-521-0444 Toll free : 1-866-522-0444 or via e-mail : info@capahc.com