Cirrhosis is a severe consequence of chronic hepatitis and is characterized by replacement of normal liver tissue with fibrous tissue. This condition leads to progressive loss of liver function and is considered irreversible.
Cirrhosis can show no sign for a long period of time (years) and the sign can be unspecific: weight loss, fatigability, loss of appetite, etc.
Cirrhosis leads to serious complications, affecting all the systems and organs: portal hypertension, gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, peritonitis, splenomegaly, hepatic insufficiency, coagulopathy, renal failure, cholestasis, osteoporosis, malnutrition, pancreatic insufficiency, various blood disorders and more.

Portal-systemic encephalopathy, also called hepatic encephalopathy or hepatic coma, is a neuropsychiatric syndrome, characterized by impaired brain function.
The causes of portal-systemic encephalopathy include acute metabolic stress and disorders leading to increased gut protein: toxins, which normally are detoxified by liver, are accumulating in blood stream and affecting brain functioning.
Portal-systemic encephalopathy can be present in acute hepatitis with fulminant evolution. However, most common conditions associated with portal-systemic encephalopathy are chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis.
Neuropsychiatric signs of portal-systemic encephalopathy include sleep disturbance, impaired concentration, anxiety, depression, memory disorders, somnolence, confusion, disorientation and coma.

Portal hypertension is a medical condition characterized by increased pressure in the portal vein. Portal vein is the blood vessel which drains blood from the gastrointestinal tract, spleen and pancreas into liver. Normal pressure in the portal vein is considered between 5 and 10 mm Hg.
Portal hypertension causes are classified into three categories: pre-hepatic, hepatic and post-hepatic causes.
Portal hypertension is frequently present in cirrhosis, which is a severe consequence of chronic hepatitis.
Portal hypertension shows no symptoms, but leads to severe complications, including: acute gastrointestinal variceal bleeding, ascites, splenomegaly and portal-systemic encephalopathy.

Hepatitis C virus is a RNA flavivirus and can cause acute and chronic hepatitis.
Most frequently hepatitis C is transmitted through blood (shared needles), and also tattoo and body piercing.
Relatively rarely hepatitis C is transmitted through sexual contact and vertically, from mother to infant.
Chronic hepatitis C can lead to such serious conditions as cirrhosis, liver failure and liver cancer.
Alcohol intake in patients with hepatitis C exacerbates liver damage and accelerates its progression to cirrhosis and cancer.