Sexual Health | Viral hepatitis | Hepatitis C: Natural History, Presentation and Investigation

Hepatitis C: Natural History, Presentation and Investigation
Session Overview
Description
This session describes the natural history and presentation of someone with both acute and chronic hepatitis C infection and the investigations required.

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Describe the virology of hepatitis C infection
• Describe the epidemiology and natural history of hepatitis C infection
• Relate the common signs and symptoms associated with hepatitis C infection
• Select the investigations required to make a diagnosis of hepatitis C infection
• Select investigations required to stage and grade disease in hepatitis C infection

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should:

• Have a basic knowledge of virology and hepatitis
• Complete session - Module 7/The Presentation of Infectious Hepatitis (260-0082)

It is estimated that there are 71 million people infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide.

Since the vast majority of these infections are 'clinically silent', this may well be an underestimate of the true prevalence of chronic HCV.

In the UK, it is estimated that there are 160 000 adults currently living with chronic HCV; end-stage liver disease accounted for 15% of all liver transplants although the rate is falling, probably as a result of HCV treatment success.