Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is a contagious infection that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks, to a more serious, lifelong illness. HCV is transmitted through contact with the blood of an infected person. It can be spread through sharing needles, syringes, and other equipment used to inject drugs; through sexual contact; or from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.
HCV infection affects the liver and can lead to severe liver damage, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and even death. There is no vaccine to prevent HCV infection, but it can be treated with a combination of antiviral medications. Treatment is usually recommended for people with chronic HCV infection, and it can lead to a cure in some cases.
The most common symptoms of HCV infection are jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, people with HCV infection may also experience joint pain, dark urine, itchy skin, and yellowing of the eyes. Some people with HCV infection do not experience any symptoms.
Early detection and treatment of HCV infection can help reduce the risk of severe liver damage and other health complications. People with a history of injecting drugs, receiving a blood transfusion before 1992, or having been exposed to blood or body fluids should be tested for HCV. Treatment involves a combination of antiviral medications, and can lead to a cure in some cases.