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Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver and can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is primarily transmitted through contact with infected blood. Common routes of transmission include sharing needles or other drug injection equipment, receiving blood transfusions or organ transplants before widespread screening began in 1992, needlestick injuries in healthcare settings, and being born to a mother with hepatitis C. Less commonly, the virus can spread through sharing personal items contaminated with blood, such as razors or toothbrushes, or through sexual contact with an infected person.

Laboratory testing plays a crucial role in diagnosing hepatitis C infection. The initial screening test is an antibody test that detects antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in the blood. These antibodies develop when the immune system responds to HCV infection. If the antibody test is positive, a follow-up test called an HCV RNA test is performed to determine if there is an active infection. The RNA test detects the genetic material of the virus and confirms whether the virus is currently present in the bloodstream. Additional tests may include genotype testing to identify the specific strain of the virus, which helps guide treatment decisions, and liver function tests to assess how well the liver is working.

Many people with hepatitis C do not experience symptoms initially, which is why the infection often goes undetected for years. When symptoms do occur, they may include fatigue, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dark urine, clay-colored stools, joint pain, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). Chronic hepatitis C infection can develop in most people who become infected, and over time it may lead to serious liver damage including cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.

Testing for hepatitis C is recommended for people who have ever injected drugs, received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before 1992, have been on long-term hemodialysis, were born to a mother with hepatitis C, have HIV infection, or have been exposed to blood from someone with hepatitis C. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends one-time screening for all adults and routine screening for pregnant women during each pregnancy. Early detection through laboratory testing allows for timely treatment, which can cure hepatitis C in most cases and prevent long-term liver damage.