Chronic hepatitis C (Q38312): Difference between revisions

A liver disease characterised by liver inflammation and fibrosis caused by more than 6 months of infection with the hepatitis C virus. Even at stage of cirrhosis there may be no symptoms. Otherwise, clinical features include fatigue and impaired quality of life, hard liver edge and complications of cirrhosis (muscle wasting, ascites, splenomegaly/portal hypertension). Chronic hepatitis C increases the risks of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, which contribute to increased all-cause mortality. Transmission is by blood and body fluid contamination, rarely by sexual transmission and from mother to baby at the time of birth (vertical transmission). Confirmation of the diagnosis is by detection of HCV RNA in the presence of a positive anti-HCV in serum.