Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that leads to inflammation of the liver and can cause significant liver damage. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is transmitted mainly through exposure to blood containing the virus, often via shared needles or other equipment to inject drugs, blood transfusions, and sometimes through sexual contact. Many individuals with hepatitis C are asymptomatic and may remain undiagnosed until liver damage is apparent. When symptoms do occur, they can include fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, jaundice, and abdominal pain.

Diagnosis of hepatitis C involves blood tests to detect antibodies against HCV or the presence of the virus's RNA. Acute hepatitis C refers to the first six months after infection, and it can resolve spontaneously in a small percentage of individuals without treatment. However, the majority of infected persons develop chronic hepatitis C, increasing the risk for cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma over time. Antiviral medications have dramatically improved, offering a cure in the form of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) with high success rates and fewer side effects. Prognosis with treatment is generally good, but prevention, through safe injection practices and screening of blood products, remains critical.