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

At the time of her diagnosis, there was no cure for hepatitis C, which is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation and potential long-term damage. — Corky Siemaszko, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026

Pamela Anderson opened up about her experience living with hepatitis C in a moving speech over the weekend. — Mason Leib, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026

The nonprofit, which works to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, also supports hepatitis C research and advocacy. — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 8 Sep. 2026

The once-fatal disease is now highly curable with antiviral drugs, though access to treatment remains an issue globally, with about 47 million people impacted by chronic hepatitis C infections worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hepatitis C

• actuary
• antiquary
• bolsheviki
• bronchoscopy
• calliope
• chelicerae
• colposcopy
• covenantee
• cruciferae
• cystoscopy
• diastole
• distributee

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.