Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. It is characterized by the destruction of a number of liver cells and the presence of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue.
Hepatitis can be divided into two subgroups according to its duration:
- acute hepatitis - lasting less than six months
- chronic hepatitis - lasting longer than six months
Hepatitis C is a blood-born infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease in the United States. Unrelated to any of the other known hepatitis viruses (A, B, D and E), Hepatitis C causes damage to the liver that may lead to permanent liver damage as well as cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.
Chronic hepatitis C varies greatly in its course and outcome, and is spread primarily by contact with blood and blood products.
The United Network for Organ Sharing is committed to providing accurate and reliable information for transplant patients. The content on this page was originally created on May 5, 2006 by the UNOS and last modified on March 11, 2012. The following sources were used as references:
Division of Microbiology and Infection Diseases, retrieved May 11, 2006.
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, retrieved May 11, 2006.
This Web site is intended solely for the purpose of electronically providing the public with general health-related information and convenient access to the data resources. UNOS is not affiliated with any one product nor does UNOS assume responsibility for any error, omissions or other discrepancies.