Hepatitis C
Medical Author:
Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP
Mary Nettleman, MD, MS, MACPMary D. Nettleman, MD, MS, MACP is the Chair of the Department of Medicine at Michigan State University. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt Medical School, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Indiana University. Medical Editor:
Bhupinder Anand, MD
Hepatitis C DefinitionHepatitis C: Inflammation of the liver due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is usually spread by blood transfusion, hemodialysis, and needle sticks. HCV causes most transfusion-associated hepatitis, and the damage it does to the liver can lead to cirrhosis and cancer. Transmission of the virus by sexual contact is rare. At least half of HCV patients develop chronic hepatitis C infection. Diagnosis is by blood test. Treatment is via antiviral drugs. Chronic hepatitis C may be treated with interferon, sometimes in combination with antivirals. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Previously known as non-A, non-B hepatitis. SOURCE: Hepatitis C OverviewHepatitis is a general term that means inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can be caused by contagious diseases such as viral infections. Hepatitis can also be caused by exposure to alcohol, certain medications, chemicals, poisons, and other toxins, or by other diseases. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the many viruses that can cause inflammation of the liver. Inflammation of the liver caused by infection with HCV is referred to as hepatitis C.
More than 3 million people in the United States have antibodies to HCV, meaning they have been infected with the virus at some point; as many as half of them do not know they have the infection. Viewer Comments & ReviewsHepatitis C - How Was Diagnosis EstablishedThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What was or has been the treatment for your hepatitis C, and was it effective? Hepatitis C - SymptomsThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What are your hepatitis C symptoms? |
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Hepatitis C
Immunizations and Antibiotics for Overseas Travel »
General Information
Most immunizations are not required under International Health Requirements but are recommended. Anyone lacking certain region- or country-specific immunizations may be denied entry into or exit from a country. In addition, quarantine periods of 1 week or more may be enforced (for cholera, plague, yellow fever).
No vaccinations are required to enter the United States. Standard vaccinations in the United States include diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox), polio, hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenza type B, and pneumococcus. Additional vaccinations for travel include hepatitis A, Japanese B encephalitis, meningococcus, rabies, typhoid, and yellow fever.
All vaccination series can be started on the same day. The lead time for immunization depends on the types of vaccinations needed. Some vaccination courses can take up to 6 months (such as hepatitis B) to receive all of the required shots. In a...
Read the Immunizations and Antibiotics for Overseas Travel article »
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Hepatitis C »
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates 170 million individuals worldwide are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV).
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