Hepatitis C is a virus that can harm the liver if left untreated. It is typically transmitted through activities like sharing needles during drug use, unprotected sexual contact with an infected person, or from mother to baby during childbirth. People who are infected with the virus may not experience any symptoms. However, a chronic infection can cause cirrhosis, which is scarring of the liver and can lead to further complications. Hepatitis C antibodies are produced by the body in response to exposure to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and testing for these antibodies can help identify a hepatitis C infection.