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Hepatitis C

Medical Author: Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP
Medical Editor: Bhupinder Anand, MD

Hepatitis C Definition

Hepatitis C: Inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks. HCV causes most transfusion-associated hepatitis, and the damage it does to the liver can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. Transmission of the virus by sexual contact is rare. At least half of HCV patients develop chronic hepatitis C infection. Diagnosis is by blood test. Treatment is via antiviral drugs. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, sometimes in combination with antivirals. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Previously known as non-A, non-B hepatitis.

SOURCE:
MedTerms.com. Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Overview

Hepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can be caused by contagious diseases such as viral infections. Hepatitis can also be caused by exposure to alcohol, certain medications, chemicals, poisons, and other toxins, or by other diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the many viruses that can cause inflammation of the liver.

Inflammation of the liver caused by infection with HCV is referred to as hepatitis C.

  • If the infection does not resolve, it becomes chronic (ongoing, long term) and can cause chronic liver disease, which can be serious or even fatal.
  • Approximately 75% to 85% of people infected with hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis C. Many live normal lives, but some develop significant liver damage over several years.
  • If the disease progresses to liver failure (end stage liver disease), then liver transplant is the only treatment.
  • Hepatitis C is an increasing public health concern in the United States and throughout the world.
  • HCV is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the United States and the most common cause of chronic viral hepatitis.
  • It is believed that there are 17,000 new (acute) cases of hepatitis C in the United States each year. Hepatitis C is the leading viral cause of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and liver cancer.
  • HCV is responsible for 8,000 to 10,000 deaths per year in the United States.

More than 3 million people in the United States have antibodies to HCV, meaning they have been infected with the virus at some point; as many as half of them do not know they have the infection.

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Is Hepatitis C Contagious?»
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Hepatitis C - How Was Diagnosis Established

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What was or has been the treatment for your hepatitis C, and was it effective?

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Hepatitis C - Symptoms

The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:

What are your hepatitis C symptoms?

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Hepatitis C

Hepatitis B »

Hepatitis B Overview

Hepatitis B is an infectious hepatitis caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). This infection has two possible phases; 1) acute and 2) chronic.

  1. Acute hepatitis B refers to newly acquired infections. Affected individuals notice symptoms approximately 1 to 4 months after exposure to the virus. In most people with acute hepatitis, symptoms resolve over weeks to months and they are cured of the infection. However, a small number of people develop a very severe, life-threatening form of acute hepatitis called fulminant hepatitis.
  2. Chronic hepatitis B is an infection with HBV that lasts longer than 6 months. Once the infection becomes chronic, it may never go away completely.

Approximately 90% to 95% of infected adults are able to fight off the virus so their infection is cured. Only about 5% to 10% of adults infected with HBV go on to develop chronic infection. Children are at ...

Read the Hepatitis B article »


Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Hepatitis C »

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 170 million individuals worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Read More on Medscape Reference »