Hepatitis C virus. Computer artwork of a hepatitis C virus particle (virion). The virus consists of a core of RNA (ribonucleic acid, green) enclosed in a capsid, or protein coat (blue spheres). Surrounding the capsid is a glycoprotein envelope (pink and green). Inserted in the envelope are surface proteins (orange spheres), which help the virus attach to its host cell. The hepatitis C virus infects liver cells causing an inflammatory disease that can lead to degeneration and scarring (cirrhosis). It is transmitted by blood-to-blood contact. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C.