What does chronic hepatitis do to the liver?

Chronic hepatitis and eventually cirrhosis may occur when liver cells are damaged by the hepatitis B (HBV) or C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is one of many viruses that cause inflammation of the liver. Healthy liver cells are replaced with scar tissue, reducing the ability of the liver to perform its many life-supporting functions. Patients with chronic viral hepatitis experience fatigue, jaundice, loss of appetite and hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen).