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Health & Wellness -> Diseases and Medical Conditions
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What are the long-term effects of untreated hepatitis C on the liver?
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that targets the liver. If left untreated, it can cause serious damage that can last a long time.
When someone gets hepatitis C, their liver becomes inflamed, which means it's swollen and sore. This can make the liver stop working properly, and it can cause liver damage.
If the hepatitis C isn't treated and the inflammation continues, it can lead to scarring of the liver. When there is too much scarring, it's called cirrhosis. This means that the liver is permanently damaged and can't work well anymore.
Cirrhosis can cause all sorts of problems. For example, it can make the liver stop producing important proteins that help with blood clotting. This can lead to bleeding problems.
Cirrhosis can also cause problems with the way the liver processes drugs and toxins, which means that things like alcohol can become even more dangerous.
In some cases, untreated hepatitis C can even lead to liver cancer.
These effects can all be really serious. Some people with untreated hepatitis C may need a liver transplant because their liver is too damaged to work. And in some cases, the damage may be so severe that it can lead to death.
So if you think you might have come into contact with hepatitis C, or if you feel sick and think you might have it, it's really important to see a doctor. They can test you for the virus and start treatment early to prevent any long-term damage.
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