Term: Hepatitis C

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Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2012-12-03

Definition:

Hepatitis C is a chronic liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is spread through contact with infected blood. The majority of people infected with HCV show no symptoms and for those that do, they may take decades to appear. The most commonly reported symptoms include fatigue, lethargy, reduced appetite, sore muscles and joints, nausea, abdominal pain and jaundice. Prolonged exposure to HCV may cause damage to your liver. A newborn may contract HCV from an infected mother at birth. Currently, there is no vaccination against HCV. However, treatment is available for HCV.

Source: Public Health Agency of Canada Web Site - Frequently Asked Questions About Hepatitis C - accessed December 3, 2012.

Related concepts 

• Hepatitis B - Method of Identification
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) - Method of Identification

Related terms 

• Chronic Liver Disease
• Hepatitis
• Hepatitis B
• Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Prevalence
• Infectious Disease
• Sexually Transmitted and Blood-Borne Infections (STBBIs)

References 

• Public Health Agency of Canada. Frequently asked questions about Hepatitis C. Retrieved from: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/hepc/faq-eng.php#z1. Accessed December 3, 2012.(View)

Term used in 

• Lix L, Smith M, Azimaee M, Dahl M, Nicol P, Burchill C, Burland E, Goh C, Schultz J, Bailly A. A Systematic Investigation of Manitoba's Provincial Laboratory Data. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)