Acute hepatitis C

Definition

Acute hepatitis C is acute liver injury caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is a single stranded RNA virus belonging to the flavivirus family. This disease is transmitted parenterally (direct transfusion of blood and blood products, accidental or deliberated needle puncture including intravenous drug abuse, tattooing, acupuncture, and ear piercing) or by sexual contact. The majority of patients with acute hepatitis C are asymptomatic and about 70% develop chronic HCV infection, depending on age (lower in children) and severity of acute hepatitis (lower if jaundice develops).

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