hepatitis C (HC), a type of hepatitis transmitted most commonly by blood transfusion or percutaneous inoculation, as when IV drug users share needles or when drug users share straws for nasal inhalation of cocaine. It is transmitted less commonly by sexual intercourse. The disease progresses to chronic hepatitis in up to 80% of the patients acutely infected, culminating in cirrhosis. Diagnosis is made through identification of antibodies of HCV or PCR. Treatment is alpha-interferon and ribavarin. Those infected with hepatitis C can remain asymptomatic for 10 to 20 years. Because hepatitis C carriers are vulnerable to severe hepatitis if they contract hepatitis A or B, vaccination against hepatitis A and B is recommended. Also called parenterally transmitted non-A non-B hepatitis.
