Quick Answer
Hepatitis C is now curable in >95% of people with 8-12 weeks of direct-acting antiviral medication. Sexual transmission is uncommon but occurs with HIV coinfection. Most people with HCV do not know they have it.
- ~50,000 estimated new infections per year (CDC)
- Viral, now curable with DAAs
- Treatment: 8-12 weeks of daily pills, >95% cure
- Sexual transmission is uncommon
Context Most Pages Skip
Hepatitis C is the only formerly incurable viral STI that is now curable in nearly everyone. The DAAs (direct-acting antivirals) are one of modern medicine's greatest achievements.
Key Facts
Treatment is 8-12 weeks of pills with minimal side effects. The cure rate exceeds 95%, making HCV elimination a realistic goal. The challenge is the ~50% of carriers who do not know they have it.
⚕️ This page is educational and does not replace advice from a licensed clinician. If you may have been exposed to an STI, get tested — most infections are manageable, and many are fully curable.
Sources & Further Reading
- CDC — Sexually Transmitted Infections
- CDC STI Treatment Guidelines
- WHO — Sexually transmitted infections fact sheet
- MedlinePlus — Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Figures reflect CDC surveillance and WHO estimates; they are population statistics, not personal risk predictions.