Intact Virion
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an enveloped, positive-strand RNA virus classified in the Hepacivirus genus within the Flaviviridae family. The Flaviviridae family includes yellow fever virus, West Nile virus, and dengue virus. The HCV particles are spherical and heterogenous in size, typically ranging 40-80 nm in diameter. There are 7 HCV genotypes and 84 HCV subtypes currently recognized. The intact HCV particle is often associated with lipoproteins (see Lipoviral Particles).