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

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

New insights into macrophages' role in MASH and liver fibrosis

Formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is an inflammatory disease characterized by liver scarring or fibrosis that progressively impairs liver function.

22 Aug 2024

Breakthrough treatment reduces liver fibrosis in Hepatitis C patients

HCV infection is the underlying cause for chronic Hepatitis C (CHC), liver cirrhosis, and liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 2019, over 2,90,000 people died of HCV-related diseases. Recent medical advancement made a new breakthrough treatment available for patients with hepatitis C. DAAs that block replication of HCV has dramatically transformed the treatment approach with around 90% effective anti-viral response rates. However, it is unclear whether DAAs impact the severity of disease burden caused by liver fibrosis.

21 Aug 2024

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

In this interview, we explore global and local efforts to combat viral hepatitis with Lindsey Hiebert, Deputy Director of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination (CGHE), and James Amugsi, a Mandela Washington Fellow and Physician Assistant at Sandema Hospital in Ghana. Together, they provide valuable insights into the challenges, successes, and the importance of partnerships in the fight against hepatitis.

20 Aug 2024

Liver stiffness becomes crucial indicator for post-treatment hepatitis C risk assessment

Hepatitis C can be cured in almost all cases with modern medication. However, if advanced liver damage is already present at the time of cure, there is still a residual risk of liver cancer and complications of portal hypertension, such as abdominal fluid, bleeding from the digestive tract and confusion.

14 Aug 2024

Study reveals link between illicit fentanyl use and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs

An international team of researchers from University of California San Diego and el Colegio de la Frontera Norte in Mexico have revealed a significant association between the use of illicit fentanyl and the transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among people who inject drugs in San Diego, California and Tijuana, Mexico.

30 Jul 2024

New study helps better understand the pathology of fatty liver disease MASH

A new study brings researchers closer to better understanding the pathology of the fatty liver disease MASH, which stands for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

24 Jul 2024