Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver. It spreads through direct blood-to-blood contact and may remain silent for years before causing noticeable symptoms. Without timely diagnosis and treatment, hepatitis C can gradually damage the liver and may lead to long-term complications.
The good news is that hepatitis C is now highly treatable, and most patients can achieve complete viral clearance with modern medical therapy.
Hepatitis C is transmitted only when blood infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) enters another person’s bloodstream. It does not spread through casual contact.
Common risk situations include:
Sexual transmission is uncommon but possible, particularly if there is blood exposure or the presence of open wounds. Using barrier protection reduces this risk.
Hepatitis C does not spread through hugging, coughing, sneezing, sharing food, utensils, or normal day-to-day contact.
Many individuals with hepatitis C experience no symptoms for long periods. When symptoms do occur, they may be mild and non-specific, such as:
If liver damage progresses significantly, symptoms related to cirrhosis may appear. These can include jaundice, abdominal swelling, bleeding tendencies, or unexplained weight loss. Regular medical follow-up helps identify complications early.
Diagnosis involves a step-by-step evaluation to confirm infection and assess liver health.
This blood test shows whether a person has ever been exposed to the virus.
If antibodies are present, this test confirms whether the virus is currently active and measures the amount of virus in the blood.
Blood tests such as ALT and AST help assess liver inflammation, although normal levels do not always rule out liver damage.
Hepatitis C has different genotypes. Identifying the genotype helps guide treatment planning.
Liver damage may be assessed using imaging, non-invasive fibrosis tests, or in selected cases, a liver biopsy to determine the degree of scarring.
Hepatitis C is now considered a curable disease in most patients. Current treatment involves oral antiviral medications taken for a defined duration. These medicines are generally well tolerated and highly effective.
Treatment decisions depend on:
Early treatment greatly reduces the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer.
Because there is no vaccine for hepatitis C, prevention relies on safe practices:
Most individuals diagnosed and treated early can lead normal, active lives. Long-term liver health is supported by:
Hepatitis C evaluation and treatment are provided under the supervision of Dr. Saurabh Singhal,
Director & Head – Centre for Liver-GI Diseases & Transplantation (CLDT), at Aakash Healthcare, Dwarka, New Delhi.
Care focuses on:
Patients receive structured care from diagnosis through treatment and long-term follow-up.
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation of the liver and may progress to chronic liver disease if untreated.
Yes. Most patients can be cured with modern oral antiviral medications.
No. Alcohol accelerates liver damage and should be strictly avoided.
Yes. Long-standing untreated hepatitis C can lead to cirrhosis and increase the risk of liver cancer.
Mother-to-child transmission is uncommon but possible. Most affected infants remain healthy with appropriate monitoring.
Hepatitis C is a serious but treatable and often curable liver disease. With early diagnosis, appropriate antiviral therapy, and specialist follow-up, most patients can expect excellent outcomes and preservation of liver function.
Timely consultation with a liver specialist is the key to preventing long-term complications and ensuring lasting liver health.
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