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Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver and can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. The virus spreads through contact with infected blood, most commonly through sharing needles or other drug injection equipment. Less frequently, transmission can occur through unsterilized medical equipment, blood transfusions in countries without proper screening, or from mother to child during childbirth. Unlike some other forms of hepatitis, hepatitis C is not typically spread through casual contact, food, water, or breastfeeding.

Many people with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms in the early stages of infection, which is why laboratory testing is crucial for diagnosis. When symptoms do appear, they may include fatigue, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice, which is a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Because these symptoms can be vague or mistaken for other conditions, the infection often goes undetected for years. During this time, the virus can cause progressive liver damage, potentially leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Laboratory testing for hepatitis C typically begins with a screening blood test that detects antibodies to the virus. If this initial test is positive, additional tests are performed to confirm active infection and measure the amount of virus in the blood, known as the viral load. Further testing may include genotype testing to identify the specific strain of the virus, which helps guide treatment decisions. Liver function tests and sometimes liver imaging or biopsy may also be recommended to assess the extent of liver damage.

The good news is that hepatitis C is now highly treatable with antiviral medications that can cure the infection in most cases. Treatment typically involves taking oral medications for eight to twelve weeks, with cure rates exceeding ninety percent for many patients. Early detection through laboratory testing is important because it allows for treatment before significant liver damage occurs. People at higher risk, including those who have injected drugs, received blood transfusions before 1992, have HIV, were born to mothers with hepatitis C, or have been on long-term hemodialysis, should discuss screening with their healthcare provider.