What is it?
Hepatitis C is a viral liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It can remain asymptomatic for many years while gradually damaging the liver, potentially leading to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
Main symptoms include:
- Fatigue and weakness
- Loss of appetite, nausea
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine, pale stools
- Pain in the right upper abdomen
- Often asymptomatic in the early stages
Causes of infection:
- Contact with infected blood (injections, medical procedures)
- Improper hygiene during tattoos or piercings
- Blood transfusions (mainly in the past)
- Rarely — mother-to-child transmission during birth or sexual transmission
Treatment options:
- Modern antiviral drugs (DAAs) cure the disease in 95–99% of cases
- Regular monitoring of liver function
- Lifestyle adjustments: avoiding alcohol, healthy diet
- In rare cases — liver transplantation for severe liver damage
Why see a doctor?
Hepatitis C is a silent disease that gradually destroys the liver. Timely treatment prevents cirrhosis and liver cancer, restoring health and quality of life.
Treatment in Israel
Israeli clinics use the most advanced antiviral therapies and precise diagnostic methods (virus genotyping, elastography, CT and MRI of the liver). Treatment is supervised by experienced hepatologists, with individualized selection of medications and regimens. Patients receive full support throughout therapy, significantly increasing effectiveness and reducing the risk of complications.