Hepatitis:

Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by bacterial or viral infection, drugs (including alcohol), toxins, or parasites. This disease is characterized by an enlarged liver, jaundice, diminished appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain. There are at least three forms of viral hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and non-A, non-B hepatitis). Hepatitis A, also known as infectious hepatitis, is transmitted by contaminated food or water and personal contact, and is most often found in children or young adults. Hepatitis B, formerly called serum hepatitis, may be transmitted through contaminated blood or needles, as well as sexually, and has a longer incubation period than that of hepatitis A. Hepatitis B can result in chronic active hepatitis. Non-A, non-B hepatitis is also transmitted through blood and can cause severe liver damage. Radioimmunoassays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays may be used to screen for hepatitis.

Hepatitis C:  Formerly known as ãnon-A, non-B hepatitisä, it is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Approximately 85% of infected adults will develop chronic hepatitis C infections. It is spread through infected blood, primarily in those who use illicit street drugs and those who received blood transfusions prior to1992 (the first year that a blood test for HCV became available for screening the blood supply). 

A liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. The virus is transmitted through contaminated blood from other people who have the disease. The infection can be characterized by a prolonged symptom-free period of chronic infection. Progresses to chronic hepatitis in the majority of infections, and may ultimately lead to cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer. In technical terms, the virus is a positive stranded RNA virus of the Flavivirdae family. More directly, a microscopic infectious particle consisting of RNA carries the instructions for making more viruses and several proteins, some of which cover the viral RNA molecule like an envelope conceals a letter. 

HCV - the virus identified as the leading cause of Non-A, Non-B Hepatitis. The Hepatitis C Antibody (or Anti-HCV) test detects antibodies to the Hepatitis C virus. The Anti-HCV test was implemented in May 1990 to further reduce the incidence of post-transfusion hepatitis. The blood from donors who test positive for HCV antibodies is discarded.