What happens when hepatitis C causes cirrhosis of the liver?
If liver inflammation is serious or continues for a long period of time, specific liver cells called stellate cells become damaged and then start producing scar tissue. When a lot ofs scar tissue is laid down it results incirrhosis. Cirrhosis can be caused by many different forms of liver disease. In Australia, the most common causes are excess alcohol and hepatitis C infection. A diagnosis of cirrhosis means that liver injury has led to the build up of scar tissue in the liver to such an extent that the microscopic structure or “architecture” is affected. This scar tissue affects the blood flow through the liver and the function of the cells in the liver. Cirrhosis is most accurately diagnosed by liver biopsy (examining a tiny sample of liver tissue through a microscope). It is estimated that between eight and 25% of people with chronic hepatitis C will develop cirrhosis – after 20 to 40 years of infection. Although cirrhosis is not life-threatening in itself, it means people are at i
