hepatitis C

hepatitis C -'sē n hepatitis caused by a single-stranded RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae (species Hepatitis C virus of the genus Hepacivirus) that tends to persist in the blood serum and is usu. transmitted by infected blood (as by injection of an illicit drug, blood transfusion, or exposure to blood or blood products) and that accounts for most cases of non-A, non-B hepatitis

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a viral disease caused by the hepatitis C virus, the most common form of posttransfusion hepatitis; it can also follow parenteral drug abuse or other intimate personal contact with an infected person. This is a common acute sporadic form of hepatitis, and approximately 50 per cent of acutely infected persons develop chronic hepatitis. Although the chronic infection is usually mild and asymptomatic, cirrhosis may occur. See also chronic active h. and non-A, non-B h.