Hepatitis C: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Hepatitis C?
A hepatologist (a liver doctor) or an infectious disease doctor (a doctor who treats infections) usually treats hepatitis C. A gastroenterologist (a digestive system doctor) may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. Inflammation is swelling that happens when tissues of the body are injured or infected. The hepatitis C virus spreads through contact with an infected person's blood. The infection can be acute, which means short-term. It can also be chronic, which means long-lasting. For most people, an acute infection leads to chronic infection. Hepatitis C can be cured.
Symptoms
Most people infected with hepatitis C have few or no symptoms. Some people with acute hepatitis C have symptoms 2 to 12 weeks after contact with the virus. These symptoms may include:
- Darker urine and lighter stools.
- Fatigue, which means feeling very tired.
- Fever.
- Pain in the joints or belly.
- Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.
- Jaundice, which is yellow eyes and skin.
People with chronic hepatitis C likely have few or no symptoms until complications such as cirrhosis develop. This could be decades after infection. Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver. Its signs can include itchy skin, weight loss, and confusion or trouble thinking. So screening can help find infections in people without symptoms.
Causes and who gets it
The hepatitis C virus causes hepatitis C. In the United States, injecting drugs is the most common way to get it. Contact with infected blood can happen by:
- Sharing needles or other materials used for injecting drugs.
- Getting an accidental stick with a needle used on an infected person.
- Being tattooed or pierced with tools that were not kept sterile.
- Using an infected person's razor, toothbrush, or nail clippers.
- Being born to a mother with hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C can spread during sex, but the chances are low. Before 1992, blood transfusions and organ transplants also spread hepatitis C. You cannot get hepatitis C from coughing, sneezing, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing eating utensils. If you had hepatitis C in the past, you can get it again.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors diagnose hepatitis C with your medical history, a physical exam, and blood tests. Blood tests can show whether you had contact with the virus at some point. They can show if you still have the virus. They can also show how much is in your blood. Before treatment, doctors also test for liver damage and for HIV and hepatitis B. In a liver biopsy, a doctor uses a needle to take a small piece of liver tissue.
Treatment
Doctors treat hepatitis C with antiviral medicines that attack the virus. Antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of people with chronic hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks. They are usually well tolerated, but some people have side effects. If you have hepatitis C, talk to your doctor right away about treatment. With a new infection, your provider may wait to see if it becomes chronic. Check with your doctor before taking other medicines or supplements. Avoid alcohol because it can cause more liver damage. If hepatitis C causes cirrhosis, see a doctor who specializes in liver diseases. If it leads to liver failure or liver cancer, you may need a liver transplant. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.
When to see a doctor
If you think you were exposed to the virus, see your doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent liver damage. During treatment, talk to your doctor about extreme dizziness or tiredness, changes in vision, or diarrhea. Also tell your doctor about swelling of the legs, feet, or ankles. Tell your doctor about a fever that lasts more than 48 hours or blood in your stool. Without treatment, hepatitis C may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe belly pain, vomit blood, or faint. Also call if bleeding will not stop, or if you are suddenly very confused or hard to wake up.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can order screening tests and refer you to a liver or infection specialist.
Common questions
Can hepatitis C be cured?
Yes, hepatitis C can be cured. Antiviral medicines can cure more than 95% of people with chronic hepatitis C in 8 to 12 weeks. Some people may need to take them for longer.
Is there a vaccine for hepatitis C?
No, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Ask your doctor about vaccines for hepatitis A and hepatitis B.
Can I get hepatitis C again?
Yes, if you had hepatitis C in the past, you can get it again. Talk with your doctor about how to protect yourself from another infection.
Can I get hepatitis C from hugging or sharing food?
No, you cannot get hepatitis C from hugging, shaking hands, or sharing eating utensils with an infected person.
Does hepatitis C always cause symptoms?
No, most people infected with hepatitis C have few or no symptoms. Doctors use blood tests to screen for hepatitis C.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Hepatitis C
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Hepatitis C
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Treatment of Hepatitis C
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
