Role of primary care providers in hepatitis C prevention and care: One step away from evidence-based practice [R?le des médecins de soins primaires dans la prévention et le traitement de l'hépatite C: à un pas de la médecine factuelle]

摘要

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), a blood-borne virus that infects the liver, is a serious global health threat. Worldwide, an estimated 150 million people are infected with HCV, and 3 to 4 million new infections are documented every year. Chronic hepatitis C, a condition that develops in most of those who acquire HCV, can progress into life-threatening illnesses such as liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. Currently, HCV-infected individuals constitute most of the liver transplant candidates in both Canada and the United States.