Hepatitis C: Infection and Disease

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It primarily affects the liver. It causes symptoms such as decreased appetite, fatigue and nausea in case of an acute infection. In case of chronic infections, it causes fatigue and mild cognitive problems. The chronic infection often leads to liver cirrhosis which can cause liver failure. It can also result in liver cancer or dilated blood vessels in the esophagus and stomach. Hepatitis C is a transmissible disease. It is often transmitted from drug use, sexual intercourse, blood transfusion and body modification such as tattooing. The diagnostic tests of hepatitis C include HCV antibody enzyme immunoassay, recombinant immunoblot assay and quantitative HCV RNA polymerase chain reaction. This book contains some path-breaking studies associated with hepatitis C. It brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and elucidates the unexplored aspects of diagnosis and treatment of hepatitis C. This book will serve as a valuable source of reference for graduate and postgraduate students.