Introduction
Hepatitis C is a disease of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus.

Clinical Features of Hepatitis C

• Jaundice.
• Fatigue.
• Abdominal pain.
• Loss of appetite.
• Intermittent nausea.
• Vomiting.

Etiological Agent

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Transmission of Hepatitis C

• Primarily blood borne, also sexual and perinatal.

Risk Groups

• Injecting drug users.
• Hemodialysis patients.
• Health care workers.
• Sex contacts of infected persons.
• Persons with multiple sex partners.
• Infants born to infected women have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal ALT levels).

Prevention of Hepatitis C

• Screening of blood/organ/tissue donors.
• Counseling to reduce/modify high–risk practices.

Treatment of Hepatitis C

• Drugs are licensed for the treatment of persons with chronic Hepatitis C.
• Treatment is effective in 10 to 40% of persons.

Sequelae

• Chronic infection >85% of infected persons.
• Chronic liver disease: 70% of infected persons.
• Deaths from chronic liver disease: 8,000 to 10,000/yr.
• Leading indication for liver transplantation.