Guide to professional help

You should see a doctor if you think you have been exposed to hepatitis C. If your doctor agrees that you may be at risk of infection, he or she will carry out a blood test for antibodies against hepatitis C and, if that is positive, another blood test for the presence of the virus using PCR. If this is positive, it means you have hepatitis C, and you will probably be referred to a liver specialist (hepatologist), gastrointestinal (GI) specialist (a Gastroenterologist with an interest in liver disease), or rarely to a Consultant in Infectious Diseases. These doctors are experienced in managing patients with conditions such as hepatitis C that affect the liver.

Your specialist will carry out more tests to find out what genotype of hepatitis C virus you have and how damaged your liver is. They will then help you decide on whether it is appropriate for you to start treatment or discuss other options. If treatment is appropriate, they will also help you decide the best time to start treatment and course of treatment you should receive, based on the test results and other factors (such as whether you have any other medical conditions as well as hepatitis C). You may also be required to make important decisions about receiving treatment, based on your personal circumstances.

You will have regular contact with your specialist as they monitor your disease progress and/or treatment. If you have hepatitis C and are not receiving treatment, it is possible that your doctor may recommend that blood tests are taken at regular intervals to monitor your transaminase levels for any indication of liver damage. Consistently elevated transaminase levels could indicate that treatment should be reconsidered. The length of the intervals between monitoring tests may vary, depending on local guidelines.

If you do receive treatment for hepatitis C, your viral load will be monitored at regular intervals in addition to your transaminase levels. These tests are conducted to assess your response to therapy over time. When taking the current treatments for hepatitis C, you may experience troublesome side effects, but it is vital that you take your doses regularly as required to improve the chances of success.

Having hepatitis C often affects people emotionally. In addition to the emotional impact of finding out you have hepatitis C and coming to terms with living with a chronic disease, the treatment can also sometimes make people feel depressed. You should let your doctor know if you are feeling depressed because they may be able to offer you help and talk to you about management options. 

It is often helpful to talk to somebody about how you are feeling, perhaps your family, others with hepatitis C, support groups or even a professional counsellor (for example, a psychologist). Your doctor may be able to provide information about who you can contact for more support on living with hepatitis C and coping with the condition. Patients have also organised themselves into support groups. Look for the organisation in your country and get in touch with them.

Talking to my specialist hepatitis C unit

If you have been diagnosed with hepatitis C, there may be times when you need extra support, advice, or people to talk to. This page encourages you to find out what support is available in your local area.