Chronic viral infections have a profound and lasting impact on the immune system in a similar way to aging. Chronic inflammation that occurs as a result of immune system dysregulation is often seen in diseases associated with aging.
Hepatitis C virus increases the expression of SOCS, dulling the normal immune system response to viral infections. This may explain why Hepatitis C 'hides' in the immune system, leading to a lack of diagnosis in those suffering the infection.
