is caused by the hep C virus (HCV)
Understanding Hep C
What is hepatitis C?
Hepatitis C (hep C) is a liver disease caused by the hep C virus. Hep C can arrive in your liver like an uninvited guest and cause inflammation, which can lead to liver damage. Most people with hep C don’t have any symptoms. That means you may have it and not know you have it.
spreads when the blood from a person infected with the hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected
begins as an acute infection (lasting less than 6 months)
becomes chronic (long-lasting) in more than half of people who become infected
often doesn't present any symptoms, but can lead to serious health complications
can be cured
Chronic inflammation can lead to fibrosis, which is the first stage of liver scarring.
Once you have hepatitis C, the virus constantly replicates, making copies of itself ABOUT A TRILLION TIMES EVERY DAY.
The new copies of the virus continue to attack the liver cells, causing inflammation which can lead to scarring, liver damage, cirrhosis, and potentially even liver cancer.
Fibrosis
(liver scaring)
over time,
can lead to
Cirrhosis
(more scar tissue
than liver tissue)
The hep C virus can multiply in the liver about a trillion times a day.
Why is the liver
so
important?
The liver is the second largest organ in the body and carries out many functions to help keep you healthy. The liver’s main function is to clean your blood of toxins by producing bile to break down fat into energy. In hep C, liver scarring (fibrosis) can prevent the liver from doing its job.
The liver is about the size of a football, reddish in color, and located below your lungs, above your stomach.
F0
No fibrosis
Liver inflammation may be present
F1
Mild Fibrosis
Scar tissue is present
F2
Moderate Fibrosis
Scar tissue starts to connect
F3
Severe Fibrosis
Scar tissue has spread to the point where structure is affected
F4
Cirrhosis
The liver is taken over by scar tissue and may not be able to do its job
In people with
hepatitis C
approximately
5-25%
will develop cirrhosis
within 10-20 years
up to
4%
with cirrhosis will develop
liver cancer with each passing year
Talk to your healthcare
professional about hep C
Be prepared to help guide
the conversation.
