Final answer:
Hepatitis C significantly impacts the liver, causing liver damage and inflammation through infection of hepatocytes. Chronic hepatitis C can result in serious liver complications such as cirrhosis and cancer. The infection manifests as symptoms including jaundice and abdominal pain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hepatitis C most severely affects the liver. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) particularly targets hepatocytes, which are the liver's main functional cells. Through viral replication, HCV causes inflammation and liver damage over time, which can manifest as symptoms such as malaise, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), dark urine, and abdominal pain, especially in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. Chronic infection can lead to serious complications, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Unlike some viruses which can infect various organ systems, the hepatitis family of viruses specifically attacks liver cells.