Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus that infects the liver, where it causes significant inflammation, damage and disruption of normal liver function. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, around 3 to 4 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C every year.

What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C infection is a liver infection caused by the Hepatitis C virus. Infection with hepatitis C may damage the liver leading to chronic infection.

What is the Hepatitis C Virus?

Hepatitis C Diagnosis

Hepatitis C Prevention

Hepatitis C Treatment

Hepatitis C Epidemiology

Hepatitis C Transmission

Hepatitis C History

Hepatitis C treatment: no benefits and possible harm

Early and Late Symptoms of Hepatitis C

How is Hepatitis C Transmitted?

Tests for Hepatitis C

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Hepatitis C Acute Infection

Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

HCV and Rheumatic Disease

Is Hepatitis Preventable?

Latest Hepatitis C News and Research

Syringe exchange fears hobble fight against West Virginia HIV outbreak

More than three years have passed since federal health officials arrived in central Appalachia to assess an alarming outbreak of HIV spread mostly between people who inject opioids or methamphetamine.

3 Jan 2025

KFF Health News' 'What the Health?': Francis Collins on supporting NIH and finding common ground

This week, KFF Health News' "What the Health?" presents a conversation with Francis Collins, former National Institutes of Health director and White House science adviser.

2 Jan 2025

Breastfeeding after COVID-19 vaccination is safe, with minimal changes to milk composition

This study reveals how SARS-CoV-2 infection significantly alters human milk composition, while COVID-19 vaccination causes minimal, transient changes, underscoring the safety of breastfeeding during vaccination.

19 Dec 2024

Study highlights benefits of expanding needle exchange programs in prisons

"Needle exchange programs are evidence-based strategies that prevent transmission of blood-borne viruses, reduce injection-related infections, improve access to medical care, and facilitate entry into substance dependence programs for people who inject drugs," writes Dr. Farah Houdroge, Disease Elimination Program, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Australia, with coauthors.

16 Dec 2024

Systematic review and meta-analysis of coronary artery disease in liver cirrhosis

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is increasingly observed in patients with liver cirrhosis. However, data on the incidence and prevalence of CAD in cirrhotic patients are heterogeneous, and the association remains uncertain.

10 Dec 2024

New vaccine approach shows promise against Hepatitis C

Globally, approximately 58 million people are chronically infected with HCV, resulting in 290,000 annual deaths due to complications such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.

6 Dec 2024

Telemedicine and peer support show promise in treating hepatitis C in rural areas

New research reveals a dramatic improvement in diagnosing and curing people living with hepatitis C in rural communities using both telemedicine and support from peers with lived experience in drug use.

27 Nov 2024

New approach to stabilize RSV protein could lead to better vaccines

In most people, the lung-infecting pathogens known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) trigger mild cold-like symptoms. But in infants and seniors, these viruses can cause severe pneumonia and even death.

20 Nov 2024

Exploring the protective effects of HSD17B13 in hepatic steatosis

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a growing global health challenge, accounting for millions of deaths each year. Its major contributors include metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), alcoholic liver disease (ALD), and hepatitis C virus infection.

8 Nov 2024

Research shows low vaccination rates for hepatitis A and B in men who have sex with men

Research analyzing European survey data from 113,884 men who have sex with men (MSM) and published in Eurosurveillance indicates that while most MSM have a basic understanding of viral hepatitis, only 44% report having been vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B.

8 Nov 2024

Study finds high hepatitis C rates among opioid overdose patients

New research from the University of Missouri School of Medicine indicates that accidental opioid overdose patients in central Missouri have high rates of hepatitis C infections, despite only 40% of patients having a history of testing.

7 Nov 2024

Review: The multifaceted roles of bilirubin in liver health and disease

Bilirubin, the byproduct of hemoprotein breakdown, particularly hemoglobin, is a critical marker in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing liver diseases.

6 Nov 2024

WHO study names top pathogens in need of new vaccines

A new World Health Organization (WHO) study published today in eBioMedicine names 17 pathogens that regularly cause diseases in communities as top priorities for new vaccine development.

5 Nov 2024

Evaluating the effectiveness of GAAD for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is crucial for improving survival in patients with chronic hepatitis.

25 Oct 2024

New cell culture model sheds light on immune protein's role in infectious diseases

A human cell culture model of the lung's most important immune cells, alveolar macrophages, helped make a key finding that is prompting researchers to rethink the role of another immune protein in infectious disease.

10 Oct 2024

Study reveals gaps in hepatitis C treatment among reproductive-aged women

Most pediatric cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are perinatal, meaning the virus is transmitted from birthing parent to child during pregnancy or birth, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

7 Oct 2024

Long-lived plasma cells fail to establish after COVID mRNA vaccination, limiting long-term antibody response

Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2-specific plasma cells were largely excluded from the long-lived plasma cell compartment in the bone marrow after mRNA vaccination, explaining the short-lived antibody response.

2 Oct 2024

Cardiovascular risks of COVID-19 antivirals

Study reviews cardiovascular side effects linked to antiviral therapies for COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful consideration when prescribing these drugs to high-risk patients.

16 Sep 2024

Novel monoclonal antibody appears effective at neutralizing numerous SARS-CoV-2 variants

A monoclonal antibody appears effective at neutralizing the numerous variants of SARS-CoV-2, as well as related viruses in animals that could pose a threat if they were to begin spreading in people.

6 Sep 2024

CNRS scientists uncover activation mechanism of bemnifosbuvir

CNRS Scientists have deciphered the activation pathway of bemnifosbuvir, a drug candidate initially in development to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV). The findings of the research team, led by CNRS scientists, unlock new opportunities to boost the efficacy of this type of drug against other RNA viruses, such as the ones that cause Covid-19 and dengue fever.

28 Aug 2024