Hepatitis C and COVID-19: Risks, vaccination, and safety – Medical News Today

People living with chronic hepatitis C have a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms than individuals without the condition. Those who do develop severe illness may also have a higher risk of liver damage.

However, a 2021 study found that despite the higher risk for severe illness, people with hepatitis C did not have a higher risk of admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) or death due to COVID-19 compared with those without the condition.

Read on to learn more about hepatitis C and COVID-19, including the risks, how the two conditions interact, and whether people with hepatitis C can receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

All data and statistics are based on publicly available data at the time of publication. Some information may be out of date. Visit our coronavirus hub and follow our live updates page for the most recent information on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) list liver disease as a risk factor for developing severe illness from COVID-19. Hepatitis C is a type of liver disease.

The risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms can depend on the level of liver scarring, or cirrhosis, a person has. According to a 2021 study, people with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) are more likely to develop serious COVID-19 symptoms and receive treatment in the hospital if they have a high fibrosis-4 score, a method that doctors use to estimate liver cirrhosis.

Despite the higher risk for severe illness, individuals with HCV do not appear to have a higher risk of ICU admission or death compared with those who do not have HCV. However, they may have a higher risk for complications.

Evidence suggests that severe COVID-19 can cause liver damage and that this may be especially harmful to individuals with preexisting liver disease.

A 2020 review found that up to half of people hospitalized with COVID-19 had elevated liver enzyme levels, which can indicate liver damage. This result was more common in those who:

The 2021 study also notes that in people with existing cirrhosis, COVID-19 has links with a deterioration in liver function.

However, it is important to note that most individuals with HCV do not develop severe COVID-19 symptoms, while liver injury is less prevalent among people with mild symptoms.

HCV cannot kill SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Having HCV does not protect someone from the disease.

However, both these viruses share a similar structure. They are both positive single-stranded RNA viruses that cause a similar immune system response. Because of this, some antiviral drugs that target HCV may also affect SARS-CoV-2.

The effectiveness of HCV medications for treating COVID-19 is still unknown. At present, the only drug with approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating COVID-19 is remdesivir, an antiviral that doctors can use with or without the anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone.

Yes, people with hepatitis C can get the vaccine for COVID-19.

The CDC included anyone with a medical condition that increases the risk for severe COVID-19 in their phase 1 vaccine priority group. This meant anyone aged 1664 years with HCV could receive a vaccination earlier than other adults. Now, the vaccine is available to all adults.

The only situation where a person with HCV could not get the COVID-19 vaccine is if they have:

People can speak with a doctor if they have concerns about the safety of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Read more about COVID-19 vaccine safety.

The most effective way to stay safe from COVID-19 is to avoid coming into contact with the virus that causes the disease. Actions that everyone can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19 include:

There are also special precautions people with HCV can take to protect themselves. These include:

If a person is using drugs or has a substance abuse disorder, they should not delay seeking help from a doctor or counselor. People with a substance abuse disorder are at a higher risk for severe COVID-19. However, there are virtual treatment and recovery programs that can help.

Learn more about treatments for addiction.

People with HCV may wish to speak with a doctor to get more information about COVID-19 and how it may affect them. Some potential questions to ask include:

If someone thinks they have COVID-19 symptoms, they should remain at home and follow the guidance from their local health authority. The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary, but the most common include:

Call 911 or the nearest emergency department and notify them that an individual may have COVID-19 if their COVID-19 symptoms suddenly worsen or they develop any of the following:

Research suggests that people with HCV are more likely to experience serious illness and hospitalization if they develop COVID-19. They may also be at a higher risk for liver damage or reduced liver function as a result of the disease. However, individuals with HCV do not appear to have higher mortality rates than those without the condition.

Anyone with liver disease or cirrhosis can help reduce their risk of serious complications by receiving the COVID-19 vaccine if they are eligible. It is also important to continue taking precautions. People can remain at home as much as possible and make use of virtual medical and mental health support services.

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Hepatitis C and COVID-19: Risks, vaccination, and safety - Medical News Today