Definition of Hepatitis C:

Hepatitis C is a viral disease that leads to swelling (inflammation) of the liver.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). People who may be at risk for hepatitis C are those who:

• Have been on long-term kidney dialysis
• Have regular contact with blood at work (for instance, as a health care worker)
• Have unprotected sexual contact with a person who has hepatitis C (this is much less common, but the risk is higher for those who have many sex partners, already have a sexually transmitted disease, or are infected with HIV)
• Inject street drugs or share a needle with someone who has hepatitis C
• Received a blood transfusion before July 1992
• Received a tattoo or acupuncture with contaminated instruments (the risk is very low with licensed, commercial tattoo facilities)
• Received blood, blood products, or solid organs from a donor who has hepatitis C
• Share personal items such as toothbrushes and razors with someone who has hepatitis C (less common)
• Were born to a hepatitis C-infected mother (this occurs in about 1 out of 20 babies born to mothers with HCV, which is much less common than with hepatitis B)

Hepatitis C has an acute and chronic form. Most people who are infected with the virus develop chronic hepatitis C.

About 1.5% of the U.S. population is infected with HCV.