What is Hepatitis C?
Q: What is Hepatitis C?
A: Hepatitis C is an infection that mostly affects the liver. It is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Q: Are there any symptoms of Hepatitis C?
A: Often, a person with Hepatitis C does not have any symptoms. However, chronic infection can scar the liver and cause cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer. Swollen veins of the esophagus and stomach may also occur.
Q: How is Hepatitis C spread?
A: The most common ways that this happens are through intravenous drug use; nonsterile medical equipment; and blood transfusions.
Q: How many people worldwide have Hepatitis C?
A: Around 130–170 million people have Hepatitis C worldwide.
Q: When did scientists first begin studying the virus?
A: Scientists began studying the virus in the 1970s and proved its existence in 1989.
Q: What medications are used to treat it?
A: The medications normally used to treat it are called peginterferon and ribavirin. Between 50 and 80% of people who are treated are cured.
Q: Is there a vaccine for preventing it? A: No, there is no vaccine that works to prevent people from getting Hepatitis C.
