• Up to 90 percent of those infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no symptoms at all

• It ranks second only to alcoholism as a cause of liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplants in the United States.

• There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C.

• In many cases, symptoms may not appear for up to 30 years.

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An estimated 3 percent of the world's population — more than 170 million people — carry a mysterious virus that silently attacks their livers, often without their knowledge. That's because up to 90 percent of those infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) have no symptoms at all. In fact, most people don't know they have the disease until decades later when liver damage shows up during routine medical tests. Sometimes people may learn they have hepatitis C when they try to donate blood, because blood banks now routinely screen for the virus.

The liver — which weighs between 3 and 4 pounds — is the largest and most complex internal organ in your body. It sits behind your lower ribs on the right side of your abdomen and performs a variety of crucial functions — including detoxifying harmful substances, purifying your blood and manufacturing vital nutrients.

Hepatitis C is one of six currently identified hepatitis viruses — the others are A, B, D, E and G. All cause the liver to become inflamed, which interferes with its ability to function. Hepatitis C is generally considered to be among the most serious of these viruses.

In many cases, HCV leads to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis — irreversible and potentially fatal scarring of the liver — liver cancer or liver failure. It ranks second only to alcoholism as a cause of liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplants in the United States.

Although vaccines are used for hepatitis A and B, there is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C. In addition, standard treatments for HCV are not universally effective, so the search for new treatments is ongoing.

Normally, HCV produces no symptoms in its earliest stages. If you do have symptoms, they'll generally be mild and flulike. They include:

• Slight fatigue

• Nausea or poor appetite

• Muscle and joint pains

• Tenderness in the area of the liver

Even if you develop chronic hepatitis from the hepatitis C virus, you may have few, if any, symptoms. In many cases, symptoms may not appear for up to 30 years. Sometimes, though, you may experience one or more of the following:

• Fatigue

• Lack of appetite

• Nausea and vomiting

• Persistent or recurring yellowing of your skin and eyes (jaundice)

• Low-grade fever

Hepatitis C can cause damage to your liver even if you don't have symptoms. You're also able to pass the virus to others without having any symptoms yourself. That's why it's important to be tested if you think you've been exposed to hepatitis C or you engage in behavior that puts you at risk.

Causes:

• Blood transfusions

• Contaminated needles

• Tattooing and Body piercing

• Sexual activity

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