hepatitis C

noun

: an acute or chronic hepatitis that is caused by a flavivirus (Hepacivirus hominis), is often asymptomatic in its early stages but may be marked by fatigue, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal tenderness, and muscle and joint pain, and is usually transmitted by infected blood (such as by injection of an illicit drug, blood transfusion, or exposure to blood or blood products)

Note: The acute or short-term stage of hepatitis C typically progresses to a long-term or chronic infection which often leads to liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer.

Examples of hepatitis C in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kaye had quadruple bypass heart surgery in 1983 and contracted hepatitis C from a blood transfusion. —Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

That first test for hepatitis C can be done right in the clinic, but the second confirmatory test usually has to be sent to a central lab. —Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 19 Dec. 2025

Although initial reports suggested the animals were carrying hepatitis C, herpes and COVID-19, Tulane later clarified that none of the monkeys were infectious. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 3 Dec. 2025

May Cause Low Blood Sugar A small 2013 study looked at the use of black seed oil in people with hepatitis C, a liver infection. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hepatitis C

• actuary
• antiquary
• bolsheviki
• calliope
• chelicerae
• covenantee
• cruciferae
• diastole
• distributee
• hyperbole
• interviewee
• origami

Medical Definition

hepatitis C

noun

-ˈsē 

: an acute or chronic hepatitis that is caused by a flavivirus (Hepacivirus hominis), is often asymptomatic in its early stages but may be marked by fatigue, fever, nausea, loss of appetite, abdominal tenderness, and muscle and joint pain, and is usually transmitted by infected blood (as by injection of an illicit drug, blood transfusion, or exposure to blood or blood products)

Note: The acute or short-term stage of hepatitis C typically progresses to a long-term or chronic infection which often leads to liver damage, liver failure, or liver cancer.