Hepatitis C is an infectious disease that is caused by the hepatitis C
virus (HCV). It primarily affects the liver. It causes symptoms such as
decreased appetite, fatigue and nausea in case of an acute infection. In
case of chronic infections, it causes fatigue and mild cognitive
problems. The chronic infection often leads to liver cirrhosis which can
cause liver failure. It can also result in liver cancer or dilated blood
vessels in the esophagus and stomach. Hepatitis C is a transmissible
disease. It is often transmitted from drug use, sexual intercourse,
blood transfusion and body modification such as tattooing. The
diagnostic tests of hepatitis C include HCV antibody enzyme immunoassay,
recombinant immunoblot assay and quantitative HCV RNA polymerase chain
reaction. This book contains some path-breaking studies associated with
hepatitis C. It brings forth some of the most innovative concepts and
elucidates the unexplored aspects of diagnosis and treatment of
hepatitis C. This book will serve as a valuable source of reference for
graduate and postgraduate students.