TY - JOUR T1 - Hepatitis C. An update JF - Saudi Medical Journal JO - Saudi Med J SP - 1001 LP - 1006 VL - 28 IS - 7 AU - Michael C. Safioleas AU - Christina P. Manti Y1 - 2007/07/01 UR - http://smj.org.sa/content/28/7/1001.abstract N2 - 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. ER -