Hepatitis C is part of a group of hepatitis viruses that attack the liver. It is commonly found in infected blood. It is also rarely found in semen (cum) and vaginal fluids.
The virus is usually passed on through using contaminated needles and syringes or other items with infected blood on them. It can also be passed on through unprotected sex, especially when blood is present.
It often has no noticeable symptoms. Some people’s bodies can clear the infection on their own but others may develop chronic (long-term) hepatitis C and will need to take antiviral treatment to cure the infection and prevent liver damage.