Hepatitis (plural hepatitides) implies injury to liver marked by presence of inflammatory cells in the liver tissue.

These viral hepatitis conditions can be diagnosed and followed through the use of readily available blood tests.

HCV viral levels can be reduced to undetectable levels by a combination of the antiviral drug ribavirin and interferon.

Clinically, the course of acute hepatitis varies greatly from mild symptoms requiring no treatment to fulminant hepatic failure needing liver transplantation. Initial features are of nonspecific flu-like symptoms, commonly seen in almost all acute viral infections and may include malaise, muscle and joint aches, fever, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. More specific symptoms, which can be found in acute hepatitis from any cause, are: profound loss of appetite, aversion to smoking among smokers, dark urine, yellowing of the eyes and skin (i.e., jaundice) and abdominal discomfort.

The hepatitis C virus (also known as HCV) is spread by direct contact with an infected person's blood. The symptoms of the hepatitis C virus can mirror those of the hepatitis A and B viruses. However, infection with the hepatitis C virus can result to chronic liver disease and is the leading reason for liver transplant in the United States. The hepatitis C virus can be spread by sharing drug needles, getting a tattoo or body piercing with unsterilized tools, blood transfusions, transmission from mother to newborn, and sexual contact, although this is less common. Hepatitis C is also a commonly found threat in kidney dialysis centers. Rarely, people living with an infected individual can contract the disease by sharing items that might contain that person's blood, such as razors or toothbrushes.