What is Hepatitis C?

Introduction to Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that mainly affects the liver. It is caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), which belongs to the Flavivirus family. The infection spreads when infected blood enters the bloodstream of a healthy person. Unlike Hepatitis A and B, Hepatitis C does not have a vaccine, which makes prevention and awareness very important.

HepatitisC

Globally, it is estimated that around 58 million people are living with chronic Hepatitis C infection. Each year, approximately 1.5 million new infections occur. Many people do not realize they are infected until years later when liver damage becomes serious.

Information

The infection can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Acute infection lasts for the first 6 months, and in some cases, the body’s immune system clears the virus naturally. However, in most people (about 70–85%), the infection becomes chronic and may cause lifelong complications if not treated.