Why is the Hepatitis C virus known as the silent infection?
Hepatitis C is known as a silent infection, because it typically shows no symptoms in its earliest stages, while it slowly causes liver damage that becomes apparent in 15 or 20 years. Unfortunately, this means that most patients don’t know they are infected until years after they become infected, making it more likely they might transmit the disease, though unwittingly. Even after they are diagnosed with hepatitis C, most patients can’t pinpoint exactly when they were infected. Because hepatitis C is so often asymptomatic, screening is vital to catching the disease early. But doctors haven’t reached a consensus about how best to screen the general community. Sources: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2009/07/08/2009-07-08_hepatitis_c_virus_foiling_a_silent_infection.
