Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus
(HCV). If the infection has been present for many years, the liver may
be permanently scarred, a condition called cirrhosis. For some, there
may be no symptoms of the disease until cirrhosis develops.
Pain the right upper abdomen
Ascites or fluid in the abdomen
Bleeding veins in the esophagus
Dark urine
Fatigue
Itching
Jaundice or yellowed skin
Loss of appetite
Low-grade fever
Nausea
Pale or clay-colored stools
Vomiting
Hepatitis C causes
Hepatitis C can be a risk for those who:
Have had long-term kidney dialysis.
Have unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C (less
common, but increases for those who have multiple sex partners, have a
sexually transmitted disease, or are infected with HIV).
Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C.
Received a blood transfusion before July 1992.
Received a tattoo or acupuncture with contaminated instruments.
Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C.
Share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors with someone who has
hepatitis C (less common).
Were born to a hepatitis C-infected mother (less common than with hepatitis B)
Hepatitis C treatment
Hepatitis C has an acute and chronic form. For those infected with chronic
Hepatitis C, there are medications that decrease the treatment time and
side effects and increase the cure rate.
Simeprevir is a protein inhibitor used in combination with other hepatitis
C medications to block a specific protein needed by the hepatitis C virus
to reproduce in the human body.
Sofosbuvir is a once-daily oral tablet used in combination with other hepatitis
C medications to decrease the length of treatment time and side effects
and increases the cure rate.
