PUBLISHED: 19 Sep 2012 00:06:21 | UPDATED: 20 Sep 2012 00:45:58PUBLISHED: 19 Sep 2012
If 100 people are infected with hepatitis C, about 25 will clear the virus spontaneously and completely within six months of infection. They will still have antibodies in their blood and if exposed again can become re-infected.
The other 75 will develop a chronic infection and be at risk of cirrhosis of the liver. About 20 will experience no noticeable illness but will still be infectious and can transmit the virus to others.
About 15 years later, 40 to 60 of those with chronic infection will experience symptoms and develop some liver damage.
By 20 years, up to 10 of those with liver damage will develop cirrhosis. Of them, up to half will have liver failure or develop liver cancer.
The length of time from initial infection is a major determinant of the risk of cirrhosis and cancer.
Other determinants include alcohol intake, being male, being overweight and the age of infection. Beyond 40, the disease progresses faster. Hepatitis B and HIV are also factors.
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