Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that is often asymptomatic, but once established, can progress to scarring of the liver, liver cancer, or liver failure. Hepatitis C can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis C is typically spread when semen, blood, or other body fluids from an infected person enters the body of someone who is not infected. Hepatitis C infection can occur through sexual contact or sharing needles / syringes.
Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is also the name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver; the most common types are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Estimated 150 to 200 million people worldwide suffer from the hepatitis C infection. There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C. Avoiding high risk behaviors is the best way to prevent hepatitis C that can spread the disease.