What is Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver.

Hepat (liver) + itis (inflammation) = Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis means there is a specific virus that is causing your liver to inflame (swell or become larger than normal).

The Liver, located on the right hand side, just under your ribs:

• cleans the blood
• regulates hormones
• helps with blood clotting
• produces bile
• produces important proteins
• and much, much more

The liver is the largest organ in the body; helps your body with digesting food, fighting infection, storing energy, clotting blood and getting rid of poisonous waste.  The liver is essential for life!

Viral Hepatitis

There are 3 major types in Canada: Hep A, B and C.

There are vaccines for Hepatitis A and B. NO vaccine exists for Hepatitis C.

What do I do if I think I might have Hepatitis C? 

Although Hepatitis C is a chronic disease, there are many new treatments available.  With treatment some people can clear the virus from their body.

Contact YouthCO, your doctor or a walk-in clinic to make an appointment to learn more and to get tested.

Learn more about HIV and AIDS, the Stages of the virus and How HIV is Transmitted.

Learn about How Hepatitis C is Transmitted, and its Symptoms.