**Chronic Hepatitis C**

If the virus persists in the blood (and liver) for more than 6 months after infection, you have chronic hepatitis C. The chance of cure is very rare if not treated. At this stage, there may be more severe damage to the liver. You can see symptoms of the disease at this stage.

People with chronic hepatitis C may experience fatigue, difficulty concentrating, feeling sick, aching muscles or joint pain, anxiety or depression. Most patients have no symptoms and do not feel sick. The absence of symptoms can last for many years. However, the virus continues to proliferate in the liver. They cause hepatitis and elevated levels of many liver enzymes (AST and ALT) that can be measured in the blood. As a result, liver damage (called fibrosis) can spread and lead to cirrhosis. Patients with hepatitis C have different disease progression and can not be accurately predicted. Many patients change little after 20-30 years, while many have cirrhosis after 10 years or less.