Category: ,

Viral Hepatitis

Learning Objectives

Upon completing the course, you will able to:

  • Discuss the epidemiology of HCV and demographic characteristics of HCV infection.
  • List elements of a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control hepatitis C virus infection.
  • Provide specific advice to persons with high-risk drug or sexual practices as part of HCV prevention strategy.
  • Identify persons who should be tested routinely for hepatitis C virus infection.
  • Identify persons with chronic hepatitis C who are recommended for treatment and those that are not.
  • Provide HCV-specific information and prevention messages to infected persons and individuals at risk.

Course Contents

  • Introduction
  • Figure 1. Reported cases of acute hepatitis C by selected risk factors–United States, 1983-1996
  • Background
  • Epidemiology
    • Demographic Characteristics
  • Figure 2. Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by age and race/ethnicity–United States, 1988–1994
    • Transmission Modes
  • Screening and Diagnostic Tests
    • Serologic Assays
  • Clinical Features and Natural History
    • Acute HCV Infection
    • Chronic HCV Infection
  • Clinical Management and Treatment
  • Prevention and Control Recommendations
    • Rationale
  • Primary Prevention Recommendations
  • Blood, Plasma Derivatives, Organs, Tissues, and Semen
    • High-Risk Drug and Sexual Practices
    • Percutaneous Exposures to Blood in Health-Care and Other Settings
    • Health-Care Settings
    • Other Settings
  • Secondary Prevention Recommendations
    • Persons for Whom Routine HCV Testing Is Recommended
    • Persons Who Have Ever Injected Illegal Drugs
    • Persons With Selected Medical Conditions
    • Prior Recipients of Blood Transfusions or Organ Transplants
    • Health-Care, Emergency Medical, and Public Safety Workers After Needle Sticks, Sharps, or Mucosal Exposures to HCV-Positive Blood
    • Post-Test