Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a viral infection that causes liver disease and can lead to serious liver damage or failure. 

It is mostly spread through infected blood, but can also be transmitted through sexual activity or from an infected mother to her baby. Most people don’t know they have Hep C because they don’t have symptoms and screening tests are not offered during routine medical care. 

Hep C is diagnosed with a simple blood test to determine if an individual has been exposed to the infection. A second blood test confirms the presence or absence of the virus. Thanks to advances in medication options, many patients with Hep C can be cured. The common course of treatment is antiviral medications for 8 to 12 weeks, which can result in no trace of the virus in your body or a total cure. Your provider will determine a treatment plan based on your liver disease.