Hepatitis C - (Click here for testing information)

 

Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver. In time, it can lead to permanent liver damage as well as cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. Many people do not know that they have hepatitis C until they already have some liver damage. This can take many years. Some people who get hepatitis C have it for a short time and then get better. This is called acute hepatitis C. But most people who are infected with the virus go on to develop long-term, or chronic, hepatitis C.

 

What causes Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus. It is spread from one person's infected blood to another person's blood.

 

Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Many people have no symptoms when they are first infected with the hepatitis C virus. If you do develop symptoms, they are usually very similar to the symptoms for hepatitis B.