In: Nursing
WHAT IS A WORKING CASE DEFINITION FOR HEPATITIS C?
Hepatitis C is a chronic liver infection that can be either silent (with no noticeable symptoms) or debilitating. Hepatitis C caused by the ribonucleic acid virus from the family flaviviridae Hepatrts C is-transmitted through the blood transfusion sexual intercourse and from mother to fetus by trans placental crossing chronic hepatitis C leads to the cirrhosis. Either way, 80% of infected persons experience continuing liver destruction. Chronic hepatitis C infection is the leading cause of liver transplants in the United States. The virus that causes it is blood borne, and therefore patients who undergo frequent procedures involving transfer of blood are particularly susceptible to infection.
Hepatitis C virus has envelope, which is a single stranded ribonucleic acid containing virus This virus causes symptoms which are very familiar with hepatitis B virus. Incubation period is about 6 to 26 weeks Treatment is based upon administration of peginterferon and ribavirin.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)