Quick answer. Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood-borne virus that infects the liver. In Singapore it is uncommon in the general population but far more common in higher-risk groups – people who inject drugs, those on long-term dialysis, and people who received blood products before screening was introduced. It spreads mainly through blood-to-blood contact such as shared needles or unsterile equipment; sexual and mother-to-child spread are less common. Hepatitis C is usually silent and can quietly cause cirrhosis and liver cancer over years. The good news: it is now CURABLE in most people with 8 to 12 weeks of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablets, with cure rates above 90 percent. If you have a risk factor, ask your doctor for a simple blood test.
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Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Unlike hepatitis B, there is no vaccine – but unlike hepatitis B, chronic hepatitis C can now be cured in the great majority of people thanks to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablets. The challenge is that the infection is usually silent, so many people do not know they carry it.
In Singapore, hepatitis C is uncommon in the general population but much more common in specific higher-risk groups. This guide explains how it spreads, who should be tested, how it can damage the liver if untreated, and how modern treatment works. It is general information and not a substitute for advice from your doctor or a liver specialist.
At a glance
| Aspect | Key points | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| How it spreads | Mainly blood-to-blood: shared needles, unsterile equipment, old blood products | Sexual and mother-to-child spread are less common |
| Who is at higher risk | People who inject drugs, on long-term dialysis, or with old transfusions | These groups should be tested even if well |
| Symptoms | Usually none for years; vague tiredness when present | A blood test is the only reliable way to know |
| Long-term risk | Can silently cause cirrhosis and liver cancer over time | Early diagnosis and cure prevent this |
| Treatment | Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablets, usually 8 to 12 weeks | Cures more than 9 in 10 people |
| After cure | Virus cleared, but monitoring still needed if cirrhosis present | Re-infection is possible if risk continues |
How hepatitis C spreads
Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus. The main routes of transmission are:
- Sharing needles or injecting equipment – the most common route in Singapore and worldwide.
- Unsterile procedures – unlicensed tattooing, piercing, or sharing of razors and other blood-contaminated items.
- Blood transfusions or blood products received before donor screening was introduced.
- Needle-stick injuries in healthcare settings.
Sexual transmission of hepatitis C is uncommon (generally low risk), and mother-to-child transmission occurs in only a small proportion of cases. Hepatitis C is not spread by sharing food, hugging or casual contact.
Who is at higher risk in Singapore
Hepatitis C prevalence is low in Singapore’s general population but can be substantially higher in specific groups. Testing is particularly important if you:
- Have ever injected drugs, even once or long ago
- Are on long-term haemodialysis
- Received a blood transfusion or organ before modern screening
- Have abnormal liver blood tests or unexplained liver disease
- Are living with HIV or hepatitis B
- Have a tattoo or piercing done with unsterile equipment
Because hepatitis C is usually silent, opt-out or targeted screening of these higher-risk groups is the most effective way to find infections early.
Why it is often silent – and why that is dangerous
Most people with acute hepatitis C have no symptoms, and roughly half or more go on to develop chronic (long-term) infection that rarely clears on its own. Chronic hepatitis C can persist quietly for many years, gradually scarring the liver.
Over time, untreated chronic hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis (advanced liver scarring) and liver cancer. Because there are usually no warning signs until the liver is badly damaged, many people are only diagnosed late. This is exactly why testing those at risk – rather than waiting for symptoms – saves lives.
Hepatitis C is now curable
The most important message about hepatitis C is that it is now curable in the great majority of people. Modern direct-acting antiviral (DAA) tablets attack the virus directly and clear it in most patients with a course of 8 to 12 weeks, with cure rates exceeding 90 percent. Many of these medicines are pangenotypic, meaning they work across the different strains of the virus.
A cure is confirmed when the virus remains undetectable about 12 weeks after finishing treatment (called a sustained virological response). Curing hepatitis C lowers the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer and stops onward transmission. In Singapore, certain DAA treatments are subsidised through national schemes – your specialist can advise on eligibility and costs, which vary by clinic.
After treatment and preventing re-infection
Once cured, the virus is gone – but if you already had significant liver scarring or cirrhosis before treatment, you will still need ongoing monitoring, including liver cancer surveillance, because some risk remains. Your doctor will advise on the right schedule.
A cure does not make you immune. Re-infection is possible if you are exposed again, so avoiding shared needles, ensuring sterile equipment for any procedures, and not sharing razors remain important. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C, so prevention relies on avoiding blood-to-blood exposure.
When to see a doctor
Ask your doctor for a hepatitis C blood test if you have any of the risk factors above, even if you feel completely well. Early diagnosis means earlier cure and less liver damage.
Seek urgent medical care if you develop jaundice (yellow eyes or skin), severe abdominal pain or swelling, confusion or drowsiness, or you vomit blood or pass black, tarry stools – these may indicate advanced liver disease and are medical emergencies.
Related guides
- Best Gastroenterology Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- gastroenterology clinics directory
- Hepatitis B
- Liver cirrhosis
- Liver cancer screening
Sources
- Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) – Hepatitis C
- HealthHub – Hepatitis B (viral hepatitis overview)
- National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) – Hepatitis
- Mount Elizabeth Hospitals – Hepatitis (A, B, C) Diagnosis & Treatment
Related conditions & guides
Related conditions and guides you may find useful:
See also: our directory of hepatologists (liver specialists) in Singapore.
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