Hepatitis C (HCV) can be a lifelong infection if left untreated.
While acute HCV infection can sometimes clear on its own, a significant portion of individuals, more than half, develop chronic hepatitis C. Chronic HCV infection, without treatment, can lead to serious health problems, including:
- Liver damage
- Cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
- Liver cancer
- Death
Fortunately, effective treatments are available that can cure HCV infection. These treatments, often involving antiviral medications, can eliminate the virus from the body and prevent long-term complications. Therefore, while HCV can be lifelong, it doesn't have to be with appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
In summary, without treatment, chronic HCV is typically a lifelong infection, but with modern antiviral medications, a cure is possible.
