Quick Answer

Hepatitis C was first identified in 1989, when scientists isolated the virus and developed the first blood test. Before that, the disease was known as non-A, non-B hepatitis and was diagnosed by exclusion. This discovery led to a screening blood test that dramatically reduced transmission through transfusions.

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified in 1989 by a team using molecular cloning.
  • Before 1989, the illness was called non-A, non-B hepatitis because it wasn't one of the known viruses.
  • Hepatitis A was identified in 1973 using immune electron microscopy.
  • Hepatitis B was identified in 1965 through the discovery of the Australia antigen.
  • A new form of hepatitis, such as hepatitis E (identified in 1990), is distinct from C.
  • HCV primarily spreads through blood, not food or casual contact.

Context Most Pages Skip

Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by a specific virus, HCV. Knowing when it was identified is not just a historical footnote — it explains why some older adults may have been infected before blood screening existed. Unlike hepatitis A (fecal-oral spread) or B (often sexually or perinatally transmitted), hepatitis C is primarily bloodborne. The virus was discovered later than the other common hepatitis viruses, which shaped how we detect and treat it today.

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⚕️ 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

Figures reflect CDC surveillance and WHO estimates; they are population statistics, not personal risk predictions.