What best describes Hepatitis C?

Hepatitis C is best described as a blood-borne pathogen with no available vaccine. This virus primarily spreads through contact with the blood of an infected person, often through sharing needles or other equipment used to inject drugs. It can also be transmitted through blood transfusions or organ transplants, although screening has significantly reduced this risk in the healthcare setting.

Unlike some other types of hepatitis, such as Hepatitis A and B, there is currently no vaccine to prevent Hepatitis C infection. The absence of a vaccine is a critical aspect of understanding the virus and its management. Treatment options are available and can cure the infection, but prevention through vaccination is not an option.

In contrast, the other options describe various forms of transmission and types of infections that do not accurately reflect Hepatitis C. For example, hepatitis A is vaccine-preventable and is transmitted through the gastrointestinal route rather than through blood, which distinguishes it from Hepatitis C.