Prevention and Control of Communicable Diseases
Hepatitis C
Reportable to local or state health department
This fact sheet is for provider information only.
If you have questions, please call the health department.
It is rare for children to be infected with hepatitis C, the exception may be those children infected by their mothers during childbirth and children who received blood products before July 1992. Most persons infected with hepatitis C develop lifelong infection (chronic infection). While children infected with hepatitis C may be attending child care or schools, spread of hepatitis C in these settings has not been documented.
Cause
Hepatitis C virus.
Symptoms
Young children infected with hepatitis C would most likely not have symptoms. Only 20% of adults have symptoms when first infected. These symptoms may include fatigue, abdominal pain, and jaundice (yellowing of eyes or skin). Adults may not have symptoms until after 10 to 30 years of chronic (lifelong) infection.
Spread
Virus is present in the blood and other body fluids that may contain blood. It can be spread person to person when blood from an infected person enters an open cut of another person or by sharing equipment to inject drugs or puncture the skin, such as tattooing or body piercing. Sexual transmission can occur but is less likely.
Hepatitis C is not spread by kissing or casual contact. Spread among household contacts is uncommon. The risk of spread from an infected mother to a newborn is low.
Incubation
It takes from 2 weeks to 6 months, usually about 6 to 7 weeks, from the time a person is exposed to hepatitis C virus until disease occurs.
Contagious Period
As long as the person has hepatitis C virus present in the blood. About 80% of persons who get hepatitis C will have lifelong (chronic) infection.
Exclusion
None, unless the child has unusually aggressive behavior (e.g., biting) that cannot be controlled, oozing sores that cannot be covered, or bleeding problems. The child’s health professional and the child care program director or school principal should assess on a case-by-case basis to determine whether exclusion from some activities is necessary. Children with hepatitis C infection should not be excluded from school, child care, or other group care settings solely based on their hepatitis C infection.
Diagnosis
Hepatitis C can be diagnosed through blood tests.
Persons exposed to blood or bloody body fluids from an infected person should call their healthcare provider immediately regarding blood testing.
Treatment
There is no vaccine to protect against hepatitis C. People infected with hepatitis C should be vaccinated against hepatitis A, and all children should be vaccinated against hepatitis B.
Prevention/Control
- Cleaning and disinfecting of blood and body fluid spills: (See Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfection)
- Surfaces and objects contaminated with blood or bloody body fluids must be cleaned with soap or detergent and water and then disinfected immediately. Hepatitis C virus, as well as other infectious bacteria, may be found in blood and other bloody body fluids of any person, even when there are no symptoms to suggest infection is present.
- Wear disposable medical gloves when handling blood (nosebleeds, cuts) or items, surfaces, or clothing soiled by blood or bloody body fluids, or when there are open sores, cuts, or abrasions on the hands.
- Regular and thorough handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Wash hands immediately after contact with any body fluids, even if gloves have been worn. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm running water.
- DO NOT allow sharing of toothbrushes, nail clippers, or razors.
- Encourage students and staff to do self-care when appropriate.
For more information, call the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) Bureau of HIV, STD, and Hepatitis at 573-751-6439.