Hepatitis C is a liver disease. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Inflammation is the painful, red swelling that results when tissues of the body become injured or infected. Inflammation can cause organs to not work properly. This publication by the National Institutes of Health (Publication No. 09-4229) provides information about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments for Hepatitis C. Other types of hepatitis exist. The National Institutes of Health has also provided additional publications about Hepatitis A - "What I Need to Know About Hepatitis A" - Publication No. 09-4244 - and Hepatitis B - "What I Need to Know About Hepatitis B" - Publication No. 09-4228.