Hepatitis is an inflammation (swelling or tenderness) of the liver. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common form of viral hepatitis and usually causes a chronic, long-term infection lasting months or years before diagnosis. Symptoms of HCV are often like the flu and not too harsh. Many people with HCV don’t have any symptoms at all, which means they do not know they are infected and may unknowingly spread the infection to other folks. There are options to treat, and now cure, HCV. HCV can be acute or chronic. Acute means that it is a short-term illness (less than six months). Acute HCV can lead to chronic HCV. Chronic means it is a long-term illness where the virus stays in your body and can last a lifetime.