title: Hepatitis C. An update.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical School, University of Athens, and Laiko General Hospital, Greece. diabahmad1@yahoo.gr
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Safioleas
authors.forename: Christina P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Manti
mesh_terms: D006526:Hepatitis C; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic; D006801:Humans