LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Hepatitis C: Liver
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The hepatitis C virus is spread by contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. Anyone infected with hepatitis C can spread the infection, even if no symptoms are present or the liver tests are normal. The most common way that hepatitis C is spread is though the use of injection drugs. Sharing needles, works, cotton, water, or any other drug injection equipment with an infected person can spread the virus. Blood exposure can ... happen from sharing razors, toothbrushes, nail files, or clippers that an infected person has used.
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Hepatitis C is a type of virus that primarily attacks the liver. As the virus reproduces, it kills surrounding cells and triggers the body's immune system to fight back. This defense can lead to reactions, such as inflammation and/or fibrosis (scarring) of the liver. If left untreated, hepatitis C can result in liver damage, which can lead to serious conditions such as cirrhosis (in which healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue) or liver cancer.
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Hepatitis C causes chronic inflammation of the liver that can go undetected for months or years but is frequently progressive, resulting in life-threatening impairment of liver function. Persistent liver inflammation causes ongoing injury to the cells of the liver. If left untreated, it can lead to liver scarring called cirrhosis, liver failure, possibly liver cancer and death due to the complications of these hepatic insults. Liver complications of chronic HCV infections are the most frequent indication for liver transplantation.
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The nation's most common blood-borne infection, hepatitis C is estimated to affect some 4 million Americans in its chronic form. Eventually, as many as 70 percent of them will develop liver disease, according to the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Hepatitis C is an infectious, viral disease that is caused by a hepatotropic virus called hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is passed from one person to another through blood, and can cause liver inflammation (hepatitis). Chronic hepatitis can result later in cirrhosis (fibrotic scarring of the liver) and liver cancer.
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The hepatitis C virus attacks liver cells and uses them as a host to repro - duce itself. When the body attempts to fight the virus, it sends lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to the liver, which results in inflammation (or swelling). This inflammation is a normal response to infection, but over time this process, and certain chemicals released by the lymphocytes, can damage liver cells.
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