Acute infection 
Hepatitis C infection causes acute symptoms in 15% of cases 70-80% patients are with no symptoms in acute infection.

Chronic infection
About 80% of those exposed to the virus develop a chronic infection. Most experience minimal or no symptoms during the initial few decades of the infection, although chronic hepatitis C can be associated with fatigue. Hepatitis C after many years becomes the primary cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer. About 10–30% of people develop cirrhosis over 30 years. Cirrhosis is more common in those co-infected with hepatitis B or HIV, alcoholics, and those of male gender. Those who develop cirrhosis have a 20-fold greater risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, a rate of 1–3% per year, and if this is complicated by excess alcohol the risk becomes 100 fold greater. Hepatitis C is the cause of 27% of cirrhosis cases and 25% of hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide.

Liver cirrhosis may lead to portal hypertension, ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen), easy bruising or bleeding, varices (enlarged veins, especially in the stomach and esophagus),jaundice, and a syndrome of cognitive impairment known as hepatic encephalopathy. It is a common cause for requiring a liver transplant.

Causes of Hepatitis-C:

1. Sexual contact
2. Sharing needles
3. Work-related exposure: People who handle blood or instruments
4. Body piercings and tattoos
5. blood transfusions
6. Childbirth: Mother to Baby