Hepatitis C is an infectious disease affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is often asymptomatic, but once established, chronic infection can progress to scarring of the liver (fibrosis), and advanced scarring (cirrhosis) which is generally apparent after many years. In some cases, those with cirrhosis will go on to develop liver failure or other complications of cirrhosis, including liver cancer or life threatening esophageal varices and gastric varices. Alternative Names: HCV Recombinant protein, HCV NS3 protein, Hepatitis C Virus Helicase NS3 protein, Hep C protein, HCV protein, Hepatitis C protein, Hepatitis C NS3 protein