Hepatitis C screening and guideline update

摘要

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health concern affecting 3.9 million people in the United States. HCV is the most common chronic blood-borne infection and an increasing cause of mortality and morbidity in the US. Chronic HCV develops in 75%-85% of persons who are acutely infected, accounting for approximately 3.2 million persons with chronic HCV nationally. Most persons with chronic HCV are asymptomatic and unaware that they are infected. Consequentially, many do not receive medical monitoring, treatment, education, or counseling.