Hepatitis C, Stages of Hepatitis C

The hepatitis C virus affects people in different ways and has several stages:

Ø Incubation period. This is the time between first exposures to the start of the disease. It can last anywhere from 14 to 80 days, but the average is 45

Ø Acute hepatitis C. This is a short-term illness that lasts for the first 6 months after the virus enters your body. After that, some people who have it will get rid of, or clear, the virus on their own.

Ø Chronic hepatitis C. For most people who get hepatitis C -- up to 85% -- the illness moves into a long-lasting stage (longer than 6 months). This is called a chronic hepatitis C infection and can lead to serious health problems like liver cancer or cirrhosis.

Ø Cirrhosis. This disease leads to inflammation that, over time, replaces your healthy liver cells with scar tissue. It usually takes about 20 to 30 years for this to happen, though it can be faster if you drink alcohol or have HIV.

Ø Liver cancer. Cirrhosis makes liver cancer more likely. The doctor will make sure you get regular tests because there are usually no symptoms in the early stages.

Figure 1.1 Complications of Hepatitis C

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