Alternative Names
Non-A hepatitis; Non-B hepatitis
Definition of Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:
Symptoms
Most people who were recently infected with hepatitis C do not have symptoms. About 10% have jaundice that gets better.
Signs and tests
The following tests are done to help diagnose hepatitis C:
Treatment
The goals of HCV treatment are to remove the virus from the blood and reduce the risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer that can result from long-term HCV infection.
Expectations (prognosis)
Most people with hepatitis C infection have the chronic form.
Review
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, Unviersity of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. – 11/23/2010
