Tell Me More About Treatment
Chronic hepatitis C is a type of virus that primarily attacks the liver. As the virus reproduces, it kills surrounding cells and triggers the body's immune system to fight back. This defense can lead to reactions, such as inflammation and/or fibrosis (scarring) of the liver. If left untreated, hepatitis C can result in liver damage, which can lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis (in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue) or liver cancer.
Most people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus go on to develop chronic hepatitis C. The infection becomes chronic (long-lasting) because the body's immune system is unable to fight it off.
You might think that such a condition would make you feel sicker and sicker over time. However, for many people, hepatitis C is an asymptomatic condition—which means they may not have symptoms for many years after they are infected. No one can tell you now whether or not you will have symptoms in the future.
Here's the tricky part: having no symptoms does not mean that hepatitis C is not attacking your liver. The virus can stay active in the body without producing recognizable symptoms. In fact, many people have no symptoms that they are aware of until significant liver damage has occurred. That's why it's so important to talk to your doctor about your treatment decision.
Learn more: What Are the Symptoms of Hepatitis C?
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