- Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and affecting primarily the liver.
- The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis which may go on to develop liver failure, liver cancer.
- HCV is spread primarily by blood-to-blood contact associated with intravenous drug use, poorly sterilized medical equipment, and transfusions.
- An estimated 150–200 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C.
- This chronic infection can be treated with medication: the standard therapy is a combination of peginterferon and ribavirin, with either boceprevir or telaprevir added in some cases. Overall, 50–80% of people treated are cured.
- Those who develop cirrhosis or liver cancer may require a liver transplant.
- An estimated 150–200 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C of which more than 12 million are found in India.