Hepatitis C is a virus that infects the liver and can, if left untreated, lead to serious and possibly life-threatening damage to the liver. It is spread through contact with contaminated blood — such as through sharing needles, razor blades or toothbrushes. It can also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy. Very rarely, it is also possible to contract hepatitis C through having unprotected sex.
Hepatitis C is most commonly seen in individuals who have, at one time or another, injected drugs.