What is the usual progression of chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus?
Our understanding of the natural progression (history) of HCV infection still is evolving. Of 100 people infected with HCV, it is estimated that 75 to 85 will become chronically infected, 60 to 70 will develop liver disease, 5 to 20 will develop cirrhosis and 1 to 5 will die from complications of liver disease like cirrhosis or liver cancer. Scientists are learning more about what causes some people to have milder problems and others to have serious complications. Drinking alcohol or acquiring other hepatitis viruses are risk factors for severe disease. Thus, persons who have chronic hepatitis C should avoid drinking and should be vaccinated against the other hepatitis viruses (A and B). Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) is associated with cirrhosis due to chronic HCV infection. Some experts recommend screening patients with HCV and cirrhosis for liver cancer every six months with abdominal ultrasound and a blood test for alpha-fetoprotein (a marker for liver cancer). The effecti
