Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which causes damage mainly to the liver, but can also cause damage to other organs and tissues. It was known as non-A, non-B hepatitis until 1989. Hepatitis C is globally prevalent, and according to the World Health Organization, the global HCV infection rate is about 3%, with an estimated 170 million people infected with HCV and about 35,000 new cases of hepatitis C each year. The rate of anti-HCV positivity in our general population is 3.2%. The rate of anti-HCV positivity gradually increases with age, with no significant difference between men and women. There are six genotypes of hepatitis C virus, and different genotypes show different disease regression and treatment outcomes. Patients with genotype 1 have faster disease progression than patients with genotype 2 or 3 and respond less well to treatment. Most of the hepatitis C patients in China belong to genotype 1, which is also clinically referred to as refractory. Hepatitis C virus transmission routes: 1. HCV is mainly transmitted by blood, mainly: (1) transmitted by blood transfusion and blood products. This route has been effectively controlled since 1993 when blood donors were screened for anti-HCV in China. (2) Transmission via broken skin and mucous membranes. This is by far the most important mode of transmission, and in some areas, HCV transmission due to intravenous drug injection accounts for 60% to 90%. The use of non-disposable syringes and needles, dental instruments not strictly sterilized, endoscopy, invasive operations and needle sticks are also important routes of transmission through the skin and mucous membranes. Shared razors, toothbrushes, tattoos and pierced earrings are also potential modes of transmural transmission of HCV. 2.Sexual transmission: The risk of HCV infection is higher for those who have sexual intercourse with HCV infected persons and those who have sexual promiscuity. People with other sexually transmitted diseases, especially those infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have a higher risk of HCV infection. The risk of mother-to-child transmission: The risk of HCV transmission from an anti-HCV-positive mother to her newborn is 2%, but if the mother is positive for HCV RNA at the time of delivery, the risk of transmission can be as high as 4% to 7%; when combined with HIV infection, the risk of transmission increases to 20%. high HCV viral load may increase the risk of transmission. The route of transmission is unknown in some HCV-infected patients. Hepatitis C, like hepatitis B, can develop into chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer, and the rate of occurrence is higher. About 20% of people infected with hepatitis C virus at different ages will recover completely, while the other 80% will develop cirrhosis and liver cancer after 10-30 years. There is no vaccine available for hepatitis C to prevent it. Therefore, early detection and treatment are especially important.