hepatitis C

noun

: an acute or chronic hepatitis that is caused by a flavivirus (species Hepatitis C virus of the genus Hepacivirus), 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

Parkinson’s disease, meanwhile, has been linked to infection with hepatitis C and a type of bacteria called H. pylori. —Erika Edwards, NBC News, 1 Feb. 2025

Cancer, hepatitis C and other ailments – including, most recently, Covid – were recurrent battles. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 30 Jan. 2025

Hobbs said the state had no better option than to hire an opioid distributor to provide hepatitis C treatment in prisons, as reported last week by The Arizona Republic. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 10 Dec. 2024

Participants included a diverse range of individuals, such as children and those infected with HIV or hepatitis C, groups that are often excluded from clinical trials. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1978, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hepatitis C

• actuary
• antiquary
• bolsheviki
• calliope
• chelicerae
• covenantee
• cruciferae
• diastole
• distributee
• hyperbole
• interviewee
• origami

Medical Definition

hepatitis C

noun

-ˈsē 

: an acute or chronic hepatitis that is caused by a flavivirus (species Hepatitis C virus of the genus Hepacivirus), 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.