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

Northwestern scientists develop rapid HIV test for point-of-care diagnosis

A team of Northwestern University scientists spanning disciplines have developed new technology that could lead to the creation of a rapid point-of-care test for HIV infection competitive with traditional lab-based HIV testing in a fraction of the time and without the need for a stressful wait while results are processed or confirmed in a clinical laboratory.

2 Apr 2025

New research reveals factors influencing steroid hormone levels in healthy adults

Steroid hormone levels in healthy adults are influenced by oral contraceptives and smoking, as well as other lifestyle choices and factors such as biological sex and age, according to new research that has just been published in leading international journal Science Advances.

28 Mar 2025

Review explores the underlying mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis post-HCV eradication

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a major global health burden, affecting millions worldwide and contributing significantly to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development.

20 Mar 2025

A versatile toolbox sets gold standard for characterizing IRES activity in cells

Only recently has the ribosome - one of the oldest molecular machines in evolutionary terms - been recognized as an active regulator of gene expression at the level of protein biosynthesis.

20 Mar 2025

Interferon gamma persistence offers clues to Long COVID and potential therapies

SARS-CoV-2 triggers the production of the antiviral protein IFN-γ, which is associated with fatigue, muscle ache and depression. New research shows that in Long COVID patients, IFN-y production persists until symptoms improve, highlighting a potential biomarker and a target for therapies.

22 Feb 2025

FDA ensures blood safety through five layers of safeguards

Every day, hospitals throughout the U.S. transfuse blood or blood components, such as platelets, to save the lives of people who are in car crashes, and victims of fires and other emergencies.

20 Feb 2025

The growing list of human viruses: Are we prepared for the next outbreak?

Researchers review the ever-growing list of human viruses, examining their diversity, transmission pathways, and the urgent need for prevention and global surveillance.

12 Feb 2025

Cancer incidence and deaths still higher in Appalachia despite progress

Fewer people than before are being diagnosed with and dying from cancer in Appalachia, but cancer incidence and death rates remain substantially higher, especially in certain areas of Central Appalachia, compared to elsewhere in the U.S.

7 Feb 2025

Three new drug regimens offer hope for drug-resistant tuberculosis

Tuberculosis remains one of the top infectious disease killers worldwide, a challenge amplified by drug-resistant forms of the disease.

29 Jan 2025

AGA releases updated guidelines on hepatitis B reactivation in patients on immunosuppressive drugs

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) has unveiled an updated clinical practice guideline in Gastroenterology addressing the prevention and management of hepatitis B virus reactivation (HBVr) in patients on immunosuppressive drugs.

23 Jan 2025

Scientists discover how viral infection triggers autoimmune disease

Scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have discovered how a viral infection causes autoimmune disease, disproving a long-standing theory and opening a promising new approach to developing treatments for autoimmune conditions.

16 Jan 2025

Study reveals dangerous mutations in H5N1 bird flu

One of the earliest strains of bird flu isolated from a human in Texas shows a unique constellation of mutations that enable it to more easily replicate in human cells and cause more severe disease in mice compared to a strain found in dairy cattle, researchers from Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) report in Emerging Microbes & Infections.

16 Jan 2025

New research sheds light on changing liver cancer trends

Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with distinct geographic patterns in its incidence.

13 Jan 2025

New research reframes the debate on drug development costs

The typical cost of developing new medications may not be as high as generally believed, with a few ultra-costly medications skewing public discussions about the cost of pharmaceutical research and development, according to a new RAND study.

8 Jan 2025

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