1.
Saudi Med J
; 28(7): 1001-6, 2007 Jul.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17603699
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis C is a long-term viral infection affecting the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus HCV. Hepatitis C can be silent for years before symptoms appear, and liver damage occurs. The hepatitis C virus is extremely infectious, which means that only a tiny amount of HCV can cause illness. Hepatitis C is a major public health problem worldwide with far-reaching implications because of the chronicity of the infection that leads to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and primary hepatocellular carcinoma.