What happens to the liver when someone has Hepatitis C?
Most people have no symptoms at the beginning of the infection. In 70 percent to 85 percent of people, the virus persists after the initial infection. This type of infection is called Chronic Hepatitis C. Many people with Chronic Hepatitis C have no symptoms. However, over a period of many years, the virus may cause liver damage. In some cases, the damage may be mild, while in other cases, the damage may be severe before the patient shows symptoms. If a person has tested positive for Hepatitis C, their doctor should perform regular tests to determine whether liver damage is occurring In the general population, up to 70 percent of people with Chronic Hepatitis C may develop liver disease. The most common type of liver damage caused by Hepatitis C is scarring, which may eventually lead to cirrhosis (extensive scarring and interruption of blood flow through the liver). Studies have shown that, in general, about one in five people will develop cirrhosis after 20 years with Chronic Hepatiti
