Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). It is a major public health problem. Infection with HCV can lead to both acute and chronic hepatitis, varying in severity from a mild illness of short duration to a serious, lifelong disease. Exposure to infected blood is the principal mode of HCV transmission. Therefore, people who inject drugs are at greatest risk for transmission. Though sexual transmission is generally much less efficient, it does occur. Men who have sex with men are at higher risk for sexually transmitted HCV infection, particularly those who engage in unprotected anal intercourse and are infected with HIV. Patients with chronic HCV infection have a substantially increased risk of developing cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The World Health Organization estimates that 71 million individuals have chronic HCV infection.
Do you know the symptoms, prognosis, and treatment for those confronting hepatitis C? Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.
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Cite this: Fast Five Quiz: Are You Prepared to Confront Hepatitis C? - Medscape - Jun 04, 2021.
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