Hepatitus C Description: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a type of hepatitis that is mostly transmitted intravenously, through a blood transfusion, sharing needles while using illegal drugs, or an accidental "needle-stick" in a health care setting. Hepatitis C often leads to chronic liver disease. Symptoms: Hepatitis C can progress to chronic hepatitis usually with no early acute symptoms. Symptoms of progressive, chronic, viral hepatitis may be subtle. Some patients develop pain in small joints in the body. The symptoms of chronic autoimmune hepatitis range from minimal to severe, including fatigue, jaundice, fever, and weight loss. The liver and spleen are often enlarged. In addition, patients with this condition may experience skin disorders, and the abdomen or legs may be swollen due to the accumulation of fluid. Number of Americans diagnosed: 4.5 million Long-term problems/treatments: In some patients, chronic hepatitis B or C can lead to long-term disability or liver failure before they experience any symptoms at all. Liver cells are destroyed between the portal tract and the central veins in the liver, and progressive cell damage can build a layer of scar tissue over the liver, resulting in cirrhosis. In such cases, the entire liver is threatened with malfunction and failure. Directory List Choose an illness from the menu below: Select here Allergies Alzheimer's disease Arthritis Asthma Bipolar disorder Chronic back problems Chronic bronchitis Chronic obstructive        pulmonary disease Cirrhosis Depression Developmental disabilities Diabetes Emphysema Endometriosis Epilepsy Glaucoma Hearing impairment Heart disease Hepatitis C High blood pressure Human Immunodeficiency        Virus (HIV) Kidney disease Lou Gehrig's disease Lupus Lyme disease Migraine Multiple sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Orthopedic Impairments Osteoporosis Paralysis of the extremities Parkinson's disease Psoriasis Schizophrenia Sinusitis Stroke Thyroid condition         Previous      Next Resources Chronic Hepatitis C: Current Disease Management Centers For Disease Control Home | Awareness | Patient Files | The Challenge | Your Stories | Outreach | Resources About the Program | About Fred Friendly Seminars | Our Partners | Site Map | Credits © 2001 Fred Friendly Seminars, Inc.