Understanding Hep C:
What it is and who’s at risk
Hep C is a serious liver disease
Hepatitis C, or Hep C, is a form of liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. Over time, the virus damages healthy liver cells, which can lead to liver damage, liver cancer, or even liver failure. The good news is that Hep C is manageable and even curable if testing catches it in time.
Fast facts about Hep C
 | Hep C can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. |
 | About 75%–85% of the people infected with Hep C will develop chronic infection. Of those people:
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 | About 20,000 people died from Hep C in 2014. |
 | Hep C is the #1 cause of liver transplants. |
 | If caught in time, Hep C is curable for most people with a simple treatment. |
If you’re a baby boomer, consider getting tested.
Although anyone can get Hep C, it’s far more common in baby boomers (people born between 1945 and 1965). In fact, 3 out of 4 adults infected with Hep C are baby boomers. Most infected boomers are believed to have become infected in the 1970s and 1980s when rates of Hep C transmission were high.
 | If you’re a baby boomer, you're 5 times more likely to have Hep C, even if you think you haven’t engaged in any "risky" behaviors. |
You could be infected—and not even know it.
Hep C is a “silent disease” because symptoms can take decades to develop. When they finally do appear, it’s usually a sign of serious liver problems. That is why it’s so important to get tested.
| Over 3 million people in the United States have a chronic (longtime) hepatitis C virus infection. Most people don’t know they’re infected because they don’t look or feel sick. |
The good news? Hep C is curable.
If caught in time, Hep C can be cured—and the treatment is simple. Health officials estimate that one-time testing of all baby boomers will prevent more than 120,000 deaths. Learn more about Hep C tests and treatment.
Testing involves a simple blood draw, making it easy to find out your Hep C status. Find out how you can prepare for your visit to one of our Hep C testing locations.
 | Hep C testing is recommended The CDC and other health officials recommend one-time Hep C testing for all baby boomers. Learn more. |
Next Steps
 | Resources and More Information About Hep C |
 | How to request a lab test |
 | Get your results with MyQuest™ |