Hepatitis C

Definition

Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which primarily affects the liver and can lead to chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer. The transmission of HCV occurs mainly through blood-to-blood contact, making it essential to understand its patterns of transmission and the challenges in treating resistant strains of the virus.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through sharing needles or other drug paraphernalia, making injection drug use a major risk factor.
2. Many people with hepatitis C are asymptomatic in the early stages, which can lead to undiagnosed chronic infection and complications over time.
3. The development of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies has significantly improved cure rates for hepatitis C, even for those with resistant strains.
4. Regular screening for hepatitis C is recommended for high-risk populations, including individuals with a history of injection drug use or those born between 1945 and 1965.
5. Antiviral drug resistance can occur in hepatitis C treatment, necessitating combination therapies to enhance effectiveness and reduce the risk of resistance.

Review Questions

• How does hepatitis C typically spread among individuals, and what measures can be taken to prevent its transmission?
  • Hepatitis C primarily spreads through blood-to-blood contact, with sharing needles and other injection equipment being the most common routes. Preventive measures include using sterile needles, practicing safe sex, and ensuring proper screening in healthcare settings. Awareness and education about transmission routes are crucial for reducing new infections.
• Discuss the significance of antiviral drug resistance in the treatment of hepatitis C and how combination therapies can address this issue.
  • Antiviral drug resistance poses a significant challenge in treating hepatitis C, as some strains of the virus can mutate and become less responsive to treatment. Combination therapies, which utilize multiple antiviral agents, help mitigate this problem by targeting different viral pathways simultaneously. This strategy not only improves treatment efficacy but also reduces the likelihood of resistance development.
• Evaluate the impact of direct-acting antiviral therapies on the management of hepatitis C and their implications for public health.
  • Direct-acting antiviral therapies have transformed the management of hepatitis C by providing highly effective treatments that can cure most infected individuals within a few months. This advancement has significant implications for public health as it reduces the burden of liver disease and lowers transmission rates. However, ongoing challenges include ensuring equitable access to these therapies across different populations and addressing residual stigma associated with hepatitis C.

Related terms

Bloodborne Pathogen: A pathogen that can be transmitted through contact with infected blood, including viruses like hepatitis C, HIV, and others.

Chronic Hepatitis: A long-term inflammation of the liver lasting more than six months, often caused by viral infections like hepatitis C.

Antiviral Therapy: Treatment aimed at controlling or eliminating viral infections, often involving the use of drugs specifically designed to target viruses like HCV.