Generally, hepatitis C is spread through contact with blood contaminated with the virus. In rare cases, it's transmitted sexually. If you have hepatitis C, it's likely you've never noticed any symptoms. Most people don't for years, even decades. And if you did have early symptoms, you may have passed them off as a harmless case of the flu.
Many people discover they have the virus during a routine blood test.
About 15 to 20 percent of people infected with hepatitis C fight off the virus on their own without liver damage. For the rest, the disease settles in and slowly attacks the liver. Ultimately, liver cancer or liver failure occurs in about half of those who develop cirrhosis. If you think you may be at risk for hepatitis C, talk to your doctor. If you're diagnosed with hepatitis C, you may be referred to a liver specialist.