What Is Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus, or HCV.

Between 15 and 40 percent of people who get hepatitis C are able to combat the virus during the early or acute phase, usually within six months. Between 60 and 85 percent of patients can not get rid of the virus and develop a long-term or chronic hepatitis C infection. People with chronic hepatitis C who suffer from the disease throughout their lives unless they are successfully treated with antiviral drugs.

Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that damages the liver and can lead potentially fatal diseases such as liver cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. One of the most common reasons for liver transplants is the damage caused by infection with hepatitis C.