HOW DOES HCV CAUSE HEPATITIS?
HCV is an hepatotrophic virus, meaning that the virus replicates only within the liver. The virus gains access to the liver through blood. Once in the liver, HCV multiplies, and new viruses are exported from the liver cells back into the blood. The immune system mounts an attack on the virus, replicating in the liver, working to eliminate the virus. This immune response results in inflammation and liver cell injury, which is termed “hepatitis.” If the immune response against HCV is successful, the virus will be eliminated and the person will recover from the acute hepatitis and have no residual negative effects to the liver. During the infection, antibody against HCV is made, but this antibody is insufficient to protect an individual against future HCV infection. In this regard, HCV differs from hepatitis B virus and hepatitis A virus. Persons infected with hepatitis A or B who recover have an antibody that protects them for life against repeat infection. Persons infected with HCV who
