What is hepatitis C, and can it be cured?

Hepatitis C is an infectious disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is curable. Transmission commonly occurs via exposure to infected blood products or through contact of the virus with broken skin or mucous membranes. Moreover, with the continuous development and widespread use of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) small-molecule drugs, the cure rate for hepatitis C now exceeds 90%, and certain regimens achieve a 100% sustained virologic response (SVR).