Hepatitis C virus

Agent Name
Hepatitis C virus
Major Category
Biological Agents
Category
Infectious Agents
Comments
Transmission is primarily parenteral, e.g., injection drug use or needle sticks. 75% to 85% of acute infections become chronic. In chronic cases, 5% to 20% develop cirrhosis and 1% to 5% will die from cirrhosis or liver cancer. [CCDM, p. 264-6] Hepatitis C is carcinogenic with sufficient evidence in humans; it causes liver cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. [IARC Monograph 100B]
Biomedical References

Adverse Effects

IARC Carcinogen
Established

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent: