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Hepatitis C Causes
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
The disease affects about 4 million people in the United States and about 170 million people worldwide. Each year, there are about 35,000 new cases of hepatitis C infection.
In fact, hepatitis C is now the leading cause of liver disease in the United States and the number one reason for liver transplantation. The number of people with chronic HCV infection is expected to increase fourfold from 1990 - 2015. Each year, about 8,000 to 10,000 people die from the disease.
In a very small percentage of cases (15%), the infection is cleared spontaneously. In the majority of cases, however, the hepatitis C infection becomes chronic (that is, it lasts for 6 months or more) and slowly damages the liver over many years.
Over time, this liver damage can lead to serious consequences, including cirrhosis of the liver, and some types of liver cancer.
Hepatitis C Transmission
Hepatitis C is spread through exposure to HCV-infected blood, which may occur through intravenous drug use, blood or blood product transfusions, tattooing with contaminated needles/ink, infected hemodialysis equipment, needlestick injuries, high-risk sexual behavior, or other routes. But about 10% of people with hepatitis C never find out how they got the disease.
Hepatitis C Symptoms
Hepatitis C usually has no symptoms so people may not be aware that they have hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C Testing
The only way to find out whether you're infected with hepatitis C virus is by getting a blood test for it.
Hepatitis C Treatments
The good news is that hepatitis C is treatable with currently available treatments.
See also:
What is Hepatitis C?
Statistics
Risk Factors
Risk Assessment Questionnaire
Can It Be Treated?
About Your Liver
Hepatitis C Prevention
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