Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus. It's mainly spread through blood-to-blood contact and can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term). Many people don't show symptoms early on. If left untreated, it can lead to serious liver damage, including scarring and cancer. Recent advances in treatment have made it curable with direct-acting antiviral drugs. Because there is no vaccine for Hepatitis C,  prevention focuses on avoiding risk factors like shared needles.