HEPATITIS C Kimberly Klatt

CHARACTERISTICS  Virus  Enveloped  Single-stranded RNA virus  High mutation rate  6 different genotypes  Most cases caused by HCV 1

GLOBAL PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS  2 %-3% of global population has been infected  Higher prevalence in underdeveloped countries  Egypt has highest reported prevalence (>10%)  Higher risk if exposed to infected blood  Travelers receiving blood transfusions or other medical treatment  Tattoo or piercing parlors  Anyone working in the medical field

DISEASE HOSTS AND TRANSMISSION  Causes Hepatitis C infection  Cirrhosis  Liver failure  Humans and chimpanzees can carry and spread the disease  Bloodborne virus

TREATMENTS  Pegylated interferon and ribavirin: weeks  Sustained virologic response (SVR)  50% of treated patients  2011: Telaprevir and boceprevir added to treatment regimen  Treatment most effective if diagnosed within 1 year of infection  Difficult to diagnose – asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic  Currently no vaccine

REFERENCES "Hepatitis C." MedlinePlus. National Institutes of Health, 26 Nov Web. 4 Dec Hepatitis Central,. "Are there different types of Hepatitis C?." Hepatitis Central. Hepatitis Central, n.d. Web. 4 Dec Holtzman, Deborah. "Chapter 3: Infectious Diseases Related to Travel." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC, 01 Aug Web. 4 Dec Nwakamma, Blessing. "Hepatitis C Virus.". Austin Community College. Web. 4 Dec