What is hepatitis C infection?
Hepatitis C infection is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Untreated, hepatitis C can cause liver disease. What type of test is this? This is a qualitative test — you find out whether or not you may have this infection, not how advanced your disease is. Why should you do this test? You should do this test if you think you may have been infected with HCV. If you are infected with HCV, you should take steps to avoid spreading the disease to others. At least 8 out of 10 people with acute hepatitis C develop chronic liver infection, and 2 to 3 out of 10 develop cirrhosis. A small number of people may also develop liver cancer. Hepatitis C infection is the number 1 cause for liver transplantation in the US. When should you do this test? The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommend that you do this test if you: • have ever injected illegal drugs, • received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987, • were ever on long-term dialysis, • received a blood transfusion before Jul
