Hepatitis C

About Hepatitis C

Widespread liver disease

Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) attacks the liver, causing lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver and liver cancer.¹

• An estimated 170 million people worldwide (3 percent) are chronically infected with HCV¹
• An estimated 3 to 4 million people are newly infected each year¹
• An estimated 3.9 million Americans (1.8 percent of the population) have been infected with HCV, of whom 2.7 million are chronically infected²
• in the US., the number of new infections per year has declined from an average of 240,000 in the 1980s to about 30,000 in 2003

Transmission through blood contact

HCV is spread primarily by direct contact with human blood. The major causes of HCV infection worldwide are:¹

• Unscreened blood transfusions
• Re-use of needles and/or syringes that have not been adequately sterilized

in the US., most infections are due to use of illegal injected drugs.¹

Early detection improves blood safety

Many transfusion-associated cases occurred prior to blood donor screening. in the US., however, the risk is now less than one in one million transfused unit of blood.¹

The PROCLEIX^® HIV-1/HCV Assay detects both HIV-1 and HCV in a single tube.

By detecting viral nucleic acids directly, PROCLEIX^® Assays greatly shorten the "window period" of potential transfusion-transmitted infection found in other screening technologies that detect seriological markers.

Projection for HIV-1, HCV and HVB indicate a 42 percent to 70 percent reduction in the window period between infection and detection using nucleic acid testing.³

Few treatment options

Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with antiviral drugs. However, many of those infected in developing countries do not have access to these drugs.¹

Prevention

There is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Screening blood donations has greatly decreased the rate of HCV infection.1 However, individuals can protect themselves from infection by not sharing needles or personal items (such as razors or toothbrushes) that may have blood on them. Healthcare workers should follow routine barrier precautions and safely handle needles and other sharps.²

References

1. World Health Organization - Hepatitis C page. Accessed Aug. 5, 2005.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website - Viral hepatitis C page.. Accessed Aug. 5, 2005.
3. Schreiber GB, Busch MP, Kleinman SH, Korelitz JJ. The Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Viral Infections. N Engl J Med. June 27, 1996;445:1685-90.

PROCLEIX is a trademark of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics.