Hepatitis C: About

Get the facts about Hepatitis C.

Watch the video from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus. Today, most people become infected with the hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. For some people, hepatitis C is a short-term illness but for 70%–85% of people who acquired hepatitis C, it becomes a long-term, chronic infection. Chronic hepatitis C is a serious disease that can result in long-term health problems, even death. The majority of people living with hepatitis C might not be aware of their infection because they do not have symptoms of being ill. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The best way to prevent hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injecting drugs.

Glossary

 
Last revised June 15, 2022