Chronic hepatitis C is a condition in which infection with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) persists for 6 months or longer, causing ongoing inflammation in the liver. Many people have no symptoms and do not realise they are infected, but if it is caught early, a complete cure is possible, so please do not worry too much.
How does infection happen?
The Hepatitis C Virus spreads through blood. Infection can occur in the following situations.
- Sharing needles or syringes with another person
- Getting a tattoo or piercing in an unhygienic environment
- Blood or bodily fluids containing the virus coming into contact with broken skin
What symptoms can appear?
Acute Hepatitis C (shortly after infection)
After the initial infection, acute hepatitis may develop. The following symptoms can appear in a mild form.
- Discomfort in the upper right area of the abdomen
- Loss of appetite and nausea
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Mild fever
In many cases there are no symptoms at all, and people pass through this stage without knowing they were infected. Occasionally, signs of reduced liver function such as jaundice (skin and eyes turning yellow) or ascites (fluid accumulating in the abdomen) may appear.
Progression to chronic hepatitis C
If the virus has not cleared after 6 months, the condition becomes chronic hepatitis C. At this stage, most people have no noticeable symptoms, which is exactly why testing is so important.
If chronic hepatitis C continues for a long time, it can worsen into liver cirrhosis (a condition in which the liver gradually hardens and scars). In that case, the following symptoms may appear.
- Severe fatigue and muscle weakness
- Jaundice
- Ascites (fluid in the abdomen)
- In serious cases, hepatic encephalopathy (loss of consciousness)
How can it be prevented?
Unlike hepatitis B, there is no preventive vaccine for hepatitis C. Avoiding exposure to the virus is therefore the most important step.
- Always use single-use syringes: Never share needles with anyone else.
- Choose hygienic tattoo and piercing studios: Do not get a tattoo or piercing at a place where proper sterilisation is not carried out.
- Avoid contact with other people’s blood or bodily fluids: When treating a wound, use gloves rather than bare hands.
Is treatment possible?
There is good news. Although there is no preventive vaccine, Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) medication taken for 8 to 12 weeks achieves a cure rate of 98% or more, which is why it is so important to start treatment early, before any symptoms appear. The treatment period is much shorter than it used to be, and side effects have been greatly reduced.
If you would like to receive treatment in Korea, you can visit a specialist in internal medicine (gastroenterology). The level of financial support available may vary depending on your health insurance status and visa type, so we recommend calling 1345 (Immigration Contact Center — the national helpline for foreign nationals, available 24 hours in multiple languages) first for guidance. If you are an undocumented migrant without health insurance, please also check out Free Medical Care and Endoscopy without Anaesthesia for Migrants and Refugees.
How do I get tested?
People who are 56 years old (born in 1970, based on the 2026 screening year) can receive an HCV antibody test as part of the National Health Screening programme. If the antibody test result is positive, a confirmatory HCV RNA test is needed to determine whether you are currently infected.
Confirmatory test cost support (as of 2026)
If you have had a confirmatory hepatitis C test at a medical facility after receiving a positive antibody result, your out-of-pocket costs for the consultation and test can be subsidised. From 2026, all types of medical facility are eligible, including tertiary and general hospitals in addition to the clinics and smaller hospitals that were previously covered. Support is provided once only, up to a ceiling of 70,000 won.
- Online application: Search for “C형간염 확진검사비 지원” (HCV confirmatory test cost support) at Government24 (www.gov.kr) — Government24 is Korea’s official government services portal.
- In-person application: Visit your nearest public health centre (보건소) and submit an application form.
If you have symptoms or risk factors, you can also ask a doctor for a test regardless of whether you are in the target screening group.
For the most up-to-date information on screening eligibility and cost support, please confirm details with 1345 (Immigration Contact Center), your nearest public health centre, or the Korea Immigration Service — HiKorea is the official online immigration portal — before applying. For information about National Health Insurance coverage for refugees and migrants, please refer to Health Insurance Premium Arrears, Restrictions on Visa Extension, and Household Member Registration for Refugees and Humanitarian Status Holders.
Where to get help
| Organisation | Contact |
|---|---|
| Immigration Contact Center | 1345 (multilingual including Korean and English, available 24 hours) |
| Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) National Health Information Portal | https://health.kdca.go.kr |
| Government24 — HCV confirmatory test cost support application | https://www.gov.kr (search “C형간염 확진검사비 지원”) |
Reference Links
- KDCA National Health Information Portal — Hepatitis C information: https://health.kdca.go.kr
- KDCA press release — Expanded HCV confirmatory test cost support from 2026: https://www.kdca.go.kr
- This article is based on Health News Series No. 4, jointly produced by MAP (Migration to Asia Peace) and Samsung Medical Center.