Hepatitis C: What You Need To Know

Hepatitis C ΓÇö what is it?

ΓÇ£HepatitisΓÇ¥ refers to inflammation of the liverΓÇöand may be caused by various things, including viruses, alcohol, or drugs. The most common cause, however, is viral hepatitisΓÇöof which there are several types: hepatitis A, B, and C, all of which can cause long-term damage to the liver. Hepatitis C is a contagious disease of the liver that can range in severity from a mild illness lasting just a few weeks (acute infection) to a serious, lifelong illness (chronic disease) that attacks the liver. Hepatitis C results from an infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV)ΓÇöspread primarily via contact with the blood of an infected person.