Hepatitis C

n. hepatitis caused by a RNA virus, transmitted mainly by blood (hemodialysis, blood transfusions or intravenous drug use)

This page is for the disease. For the virus, see Hepatitis C virus.Hepatitis C is a blood-borne, infectious, viral disease that is caused by a hepatotropic virus called Hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis) that is often asymptomatic, but ensuing chronic hepatitis can result later in cirrhosis (fibrotic scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
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Hepatitis due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) which is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks. Causes most transfusion-associated hepatitis. Transmission of the virus by sexual contact is rare. At least half of patients develop chronic hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis C was previously called "non-A, non-B hepatitis.

A virus that causes hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). It is carried and passed to others through blood or sexual contact. Also, infants born to infected mothers may become infected with the virus.

Noun
1. a viral hepatitis clinically indistinguishable from hepatitis B but caused by a single-stranded RNA virus; usually transmitted by parenteral means (as injection of an illicit drug or blood transfusion or exposure to blood or blood products)
(hypernym) viral hepatitis