%0 Journal Article %A Michael C. Safioleas %A Christina P. Manti %T Hepatitis C. An update %D 2007 %J Saudi Medical Journal %P 1001-1006 %V 28 %N 7 %X 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. %U https://smj.org.sa/content/smj/28/7/1001.full.pdf