viral hepatitis type C


vi·ral hep·a·ti·tis type C

(NANB); principal cause of non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis caused by an RNA virus that is classified with the Flaviviridae family. The incubation period is 6-8 weeks with about 75% of infections subclinical and giving rise to chronic persistent infection. A high percentage of these develop chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis and possible hepatocellular carcinoma. Synonym(s): hepatitis C, virus C hepatitis

vi·ral hep·a·ti·tis type C

(vī'răl hep'ă-tī'tis tīp) (NANB); principal cause of non-A, non-B posttransfusion hepatitis caused by an RNA virus that is classified with the Flaviviridae family. The incubation period is 6-8 weeks with about 75% of infections subclinical and giving rise to chronic persistent infection. A high percentage of these patients develop chronic liver disease leading to cirrhosis and possible hepatocellular carcinoma.