Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV): the virus can cause both acute and chronic hepatitis, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver cancer.

Hepatitis C tests include:

• HCV antibody test—detects antibodies in your blood that are produced in response to an HCV infection
• HCV RNA test—detects and measures viral hepatitis C RNA in the blood
• HCV genotype test—determines the specific subtype of the virus; this information is useful in guiding treatment.