What is Hepatitis C and what causes it ?

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that primarily affects the liver.

Dr. Ronal Ajmera says it is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The virus is transmitted through exposure to infected blood, most commonly through sharing needles or other equipment for injecting drugs. Other modes of transmission can include receiving infected blood transfusions or organ transplants (before widespread screening), accidental needlesticks in healthcare settings, and less commonly, sexual transmission or from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth.