Category: International EM
Keywords: Hepatits C, Infectious Disease, International, Liver (PubMed Search)
Posted: 7/3/2013 by Andrea Tenner, MD
(Updated: 11/22/2024)
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Background:
Infection with the Hepatitis C virus can result in mild to severe liver disease. Morbidity and mortality from Hep C is increasing the US--many of the 2.7-3.9 million persons with Hep C are not aware of their infection.
Pertinent Information:
- Hepatitis C is now curable for many patients
- Current treatment recommendations are a combination of medications (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin plus a protease inhibitor).
- Research in this field is very active--treatment is likely to change in the next 3-5 years.
- Risk reduction strategies to protect the liver (i.e. eliminating alcohol and Hep A and B vaccination) are also recommended.
Critical New Recommendation
As much of the disease burden is in the “Baby Boomers,” the CDC now recommends one time testing of all persons born between 1945 and 1965.
Bottom Line:
While emergency department management is focused on the treatment of acute complications of liver disease, it is also important to have all age appropriate patients follow-up for testing and treatment of Hepatitis C with their primary care provider.
Treatment for Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adults [Internet]. Editors: Chou R, Hartung D, Rahman B, Wasson N, Cottrell E, Fu R. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2012 Nov. Report No.: 12(13)-EHC113-EF. AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews.
Recommendations for the identification of chronic hepatitis C virus infection among persons born during 1945-1965. Smith BD, Morgan RL, Beckett GA, Falck-Ytter Y, Holtzman D, Teo CG, Jewett A, Baack B, Rein DB, Patel N, Alter M, Yartel A, Ward JW; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2012 Aug 17;61(RR-4):1-32
