Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from
infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). When first infected,
a person can develop an “acute” infection, which can range in
severity from a very mild illness with few or no symptoms to a
serious condition requiring hospitalization. Acute hepatitis C
is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months
after someone is exposed to the hepatitis C virus. For reasons
that are not known, 15–25% of people “clear” the virus without
treatment; however, approximately 75–85% of people who become
infected will develop “chronic,” or lifelong, HCV infection.
Chronic hepatitis C is a long-term illness that occurs when the
virus remains in a person’s body. Over time, it can lead to
serious liver problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver
failure, or liver cancer. Each year, about 17,000 Americans
become infected with hepatitis C, but an estimated 3.2 million
people in the United States are living with chronic hepatitis C
infection. Up to 75% peo