Define Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is caused by a virus that attacks the liver. If left unchecked, the resulting liver damage can be fatal.

About Hepatitis C

• Hepatitis C is one of several varieties of hepatitis infection and is generally regarded to be the most serious. Hepatitis C is spread through contact with contaminated blood.

Hepatitis C Symptoms

• Hepatits C presents few if any initial symptoms. Most people who have the virus do not know that they are infected. When present, initial symptoms may include fatigue, fever, nausea or muscle pain.

How Hepatitis C Is Spread

• Hepatitis C is often spread by contact with blood from infected needles. Healthcare workers and people who get tattoos often get exposed in this way. Individuals who received blood transfusions before blood began to be properly screened for the virus are also at risk.

More On How Hepatitis Is Spread

• Hepatits C can also be spread by engaging in illicit drug use (sharing contaminated needles). Occasionally hepatitis C is passed on to an infant by an infected mother during childbirth.

Hepatitis C And The Liver

• Hepatitis C virus attacks the liver of infected individuals. This happens slowly over many decades and many people do not begin to have trouble until significant scarring (cirrhosis) of the liver has taken place some 20 to 30 years later. In some cases Hepatitis C can lead to various cancers of the liver.

Treatment

• Hepatitis C is often successfully treated with anti-viral medications. In cases where liver damage is severe and liver failure is eminent, a liver transplant may be required in addition to anti-retroviral therapy.