Guide Note

Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. There are six known hepatitis viruses. While the disease is often asymptomatic, hepatitis C can cause liver inflammation. Later complications of hepatitis C include cirrhosis and liver cancer

Fast Facts

Cause: Hepatitis C Virus
Infects 150-200 million worldwide
Infects 35% of people with HIV
1 in 5 develop cirrhosis
1 in 20 develop liver cancer

United States Statistics

Most common blood-born infection
Affects 1.3% of population
New cases: 35,000-180,000 per year
Deaths: 10,000-20,000 per year
Infects 60-80% of IV drug users
Main reason for liver transplant
16th leading cause of premature death

Disclaimer

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you think you have Hepatitis C, please consult your doctor.

Related Pages on Mahalo

Hepatitis | Liver Cancer | Alcoholism | HIV - Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Hepatitis A | Hepatitis B | Virus | Viral Infections | STD - Sexually Transmitted Disease | AIDS - Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome | Drug Addiction

Categories

Health | Diseases

View Note History

Hepatitis C

The Mahalo Top 7

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Viral Hepatitis C
Wikipedia: Hepatitis C
MedlinePlus: Hepatitis C
Department of Veteran Affairs (VA): National Hepatitis C Program
Epidemic: Hepatitis C - An Epidemic for Anyone
NDDIC: What I Need to Know About Hepatitis C
MayoClinic.com: Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C News

Topix: Hepatitis News
The New York Times: Hepatitis Health News
HealthDay: Sharp Rise in U.S. Hepatitis C-Related Deaths (March 27, 2008)
- "Hepatitis C-related deaths in the United States have increased 123 percent in a decade, with mortality rates showing the most significant rise among middle-aged patients, according to new findings."
The Guardian: New drug offers hope in treating hepatitis C (March 27, 2008)
New Scientist: Hepatitis C is first target for new therapy (March 26, 2008)
FOXNews.com: 3 Hepatitis C Cases Linked to NYC Doctor (June 15, 2007)
Reuters: UPDATE 2-Idenix hepatitis C drug mixes safely with others (June 12, 2007)
HealthDay: Study Suggests Cure for Hepatitis C (May 21, 2007)
HealthDay: Hepatitis C Infection Hampers Liver Transplant Success (May 18, 2007)

Hepatitis C Facts

CDC: Hepatitis C: Fact Sheet
NDDIC: Chronic Hepatitis C: Current Disease Management
VA: Hepatitis C Basics
Epidemic: The Facts: Hepatitis C
American Academy of Family Physicians: Hepatitis C
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID): What You Should Know About Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C Causes, Symptoms and Complications

MayoClinic.com: Hepatitis C: Signs and Symptoms | Causes | Complications
NDDIC: Chronic Hepatitis C: Clinical Symptoms and Signs
VA: Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Wikipedia: Cirrhosis
National Cancer Institute (NCI): Liver Cancer Home Page

Hepatitis C Treatment Options

MayoClinic.com: Hepatitis C: Treatment
NDDIC: Chronic Hepatitis C: Treatment
VA: National Hepatitis C Program: Treatment Decisions

Hepatitis C Holistic and Alternative Treatment

MayoClinic.com: Hepatitis C: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Hepatitis C and Complementary and Alternative Medicine
VA: Living With Hep C: Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Hepatitis C Prevention

CDC: National Hepatitis C Prevention Strategy
MayoClinic.com: Hepatitis C: Prevention
CDC: Hepatitis C Prevention

Hepatitis C Scientific and Medical Journal Articles

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Search: Hepatitis C
PubMed Central Search: Hepatitis C
Hepatology: Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis C in Injection Drug Users (October 30, 2006)

Hepatitis C Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Hepatitis C Clinical Trials
CenterWatch: Hepatitis C Clinical Trials
VA: Hepatitis C Treatment Decisions: Clinical Trials

Hepatitis C Support Groups and Coping Skills

VA: Living With Hep C: Mental Health
DailyStrength: Hepatitis C Support Community

Hepatitis C Discussion and Blogs