Hepatitis C, a viral infection that infects the liver, is a cause of the long-term liver damages, i.e. scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) and liver cancer.

There is a rise of cases of Hepatitis C among the Rohingya community in Rakhine State of Myanmar and refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Hepatitis C is mainly passed through sharing of (unsterilized) needles and equipment, injection of drug or blood-to-blood contact.

Although the majority of people with Hepatitis C show no symptoms and recover without treatment, the virus can remain dormant and develop into Chronic Hepatitis C infection. The chronic infection can lead to Liver Cirrhosis or liver cancer.

People with symptoms may show fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, feeling of vomiting, stomach ache, joint pain, dark urine, pale faeces and jaundice (yellowing of the skin).

Since there is no vaccination for Hepatitis C, prevention is essential from contracting the infection.

Dr. Maung Maung, a veteran Rohingya doctor from Rohingya Medics Organisation, explores Hepatitis C in details, emphasising the prevention of the virus.