1. Most common blood-born infection
2. Affects 1.3% of population
3. New cases: 35,000-180,000 per year
4. Deaths: 10,000-20,000 per year
5. Infects 60-80% of IV drug users
6. Main reason for liver transplant
7. 16th leading cause of premature death

If you have Hepatitis C the first step is to avoid drinking of alcohol, taking of drugs (even prescribed drugs should be authorized by your doctor before continuing their use. Next step is a liver biopsy. This will help determine the amount of damage already done to your liver and what forms of further treatments can be done.http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/hepc-guide/hepatitis-c-treatment-overview

Currently treatment methods involve the use of Peginterferon along with Ribavirin. Peginterferon is a weekly shot. Ribavirin is a pill taken 2 times a day.

Like most medications Peginterferon and Ribavirin do have side effects.ref>http://hepatitis.about.com/od/treatment/f/Peginterferon.htm</ref>