Management of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Treatment Approaches and Monitoring
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection FAQ
Is hepatitis C a disease?
Hepatitis C is a disease caused by a virus. Hepatitis C virus is one of many different viruses that can infect the liver. It lives in liver tissue and blood and can cause severe scarring and damage to the liver. This can have long-lasting health effects. About 80% of people infected with hepatitis C develop chronic (long-lasting) infection.
Does acute hepatitis C become chronic?
Acute hepatitis C infection doesn't always become chronic. Some people clear the infection from their bodies after the acute phase. This is called spontaneous viral clearance. Antiviral therapy also helps clear acute hepatitis C. Get the latest health information from Mayo Clinic delivered to your inbox.
What is hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection?
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 71 million people have chronic HCV infection globally, 1 many of whom are unaware of their infection.
What are the symptoms of chronic hepatitis C?
When there are symptoms in this phase, they may include jaundice, fatigue, nausea, fever and muscle aches. Long-term infection with the hepatitis C virus is called chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C usually has no symptoms for many years. Symptoms appear only after the virus damages the liver enough to cause them.
Who is considered a chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection?
The recommended definition for chronic HCV infection has therefore been expanded to include people who have detectable HCV RNA in plasma or whole blood and the absence of clinical features of acute hepatitis (Section 13).
Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection References
If you want to know more about Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection, consider exploring links below:
What Is Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hepatitis-c/symptoms-causes/syc-20354278
- https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
- https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2021/october/hepatitis-c-in-general-practice
- https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-hepatitis-c
- https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/Hepatitis_C.aspx
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15664-hepatitis-c
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/hepatitis-c
- https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/HepatitisCOverview.htm
- https://liver.org.au/your-liver/liver-diseases/hepatitis-c/
- https://www.hepcguidelines.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/hepatitis-C-virus-infection-a-consensus-statement-2022-100223.pdf