American Liver Society

Viral Hepatitis C

What are the chances of persons with HCV infection developing long term infection, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, liver cancer, or dying as a result of hepatitis C?

Of every 100 persons infected with HCV about:

55%-85% of persons may develop long-term infection
70 persons may develop chronic liver disease
5-20 persons may develop cirrhosis over a period of 20 to 30 years
1%-5% of persons may die from the consequences of long term infection (liver cancer or cirrhosis)
Hepatitis C is a leading indication for liver transplants.

Do medical conditions outside the liver occur in persons with chronic hepatitis C?

A small percentage of persons with chronic hepatitis C develop medical conditions outside the liver (this is called extrahepatic). These conditions are thought to occur due to the body's natural immune system fighting against itself. Such conditions include: glomerulonephritis, essential mixed cryoglobulinemia, and porphyria cutanea tarda.

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