WHAT IS HEPATITIS C?

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a viral disease that affects the liver and can cause chronic liver disease. Surveys conducted 2013-2016 indicated an estimated 2.4 million persons (1.0%) in the nation were living with hepatitis C.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

People with newly acquired HCV infection usually are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Yellowing of skin (jaundice) might occur in 20%–30% of persons, and nonspecific symptoms (e.g., discomfort, or abdominal pain) might be present in 10%–20% of persons. It can take many years from the time a person is infected with the virus before symptoms like extreme fatigue, cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer or liver failure occur.

Are you at risk?

If you’ve tested positive for hepatitis C or think you are at risk, seek care right away to help prevent these complications.