for Veterans and the Public
Understand long-term effects
More than half of people with hepatitis C will never have any health problems from it. The disease generally progresses slowly, over the course of 10 to 40 years.
Here is a snapshot of the long-term effects of hepatitis C.
Out of 100 people who get hepatitis C:
- 15 will get rid of the virus without any treatment
- 85 will develop a chronic infection
Of those 85 who have a chronic infection:
- About 17 will develop liver cirrhosis in their lifetime
- About 2 will develop liver cancer
Next Steps: Entire Lesson
Share this page