Understanding Hepatitis C

摘要: There are at least 4 million cases of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in the United States (overall prevalence 1.8%, with many these patients unaware their infection) and 170 worldwide. The consequences this account for 10,000 deaths every year States. HCV is primary reason liver transplantation country. Most new now acquired through use illegal injection drugs (68%) or potentially sexual transmission (18%). Although incidence has dropped sharply since early 1990s because improved blood-supply screening, infections that were from 1960s to 1980s likely dramatically increase morbidity, mortality, costs disease over next 2 decades. A proportion individuals long-term will develop cirrhosis, decompensated disease, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These increases HCV-related end-stage HCC have significant implications clinicians pharmacists managed care settings. This article reviews virology, serology, epidemiology, natural history, current projected future burden