Stephen Tyler has hepatitis C

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Rock legend and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler revealed that he has been fighting a secret battle with hepatitis C.

Tyler admitted to being diagnosed with the infection three years ago, but said in an Access Hollywood interview to air Tuesday that, "I've had hepatitis C for a long time, asymptomatic," reported Us magazine.

"I've been pretty quiet about this," said Tyler, a former drug addict. "The band took a break about three years ago. ... (My doctor) said now is the time, and it's 11 months of chemotherapy ... so I went on that, and it about killed me."

As Tyler underwent the form of chemotherapy known as interferon therapy, his marriage to Teresa Barrick was damaged and they ended up divorcing earlier this year, they also have two children together, Us magazine said.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the blood, often associated with used needles, said the New York Daily News.