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Introduction Hepatitis is a disease with a significant global impact. According to the World Health

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Introduction
Hepatitis is a disease with a significant global impact. According to the World Health Organization there are 130-170 million people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is the most common chronic liver disease. The majority of liver transplants performed are for chronic HCV.
Viral Structure
It has been shown that HCV virions isolated from cell culture have a spherical envelope containing tetramers (or dimer of heterodimers) of the HCV E1 and E2 glycoproteins. Inside the virions a spherical structure has been observed representing the nucleocapsid (core) that harbours the viral genome.
Transmission
The following possible routes of infection have been identified: • Injection drug use
• Blood transfusion
• Sex …show more content…

Studies have also indicated that such treatment is cost effective, given the gains in life expectancy and economic productivity for people living with HCV.
Prevention
Counseling of infected persons on avoiding transmission of HCV:
• Patient should cover any wound and apply disinfectants to keep the blood away.
• An infected person should not donate blood or organs.
• Those who use injected drugs should be counseled.
• Breast-feeding should not be stopped.
• Household and physical contact is not recognized risk factors.
• Increase access to sterile injecting equipment, particularly in priority populations.
• Strengthen the capacity of education providers.
• Develop innovative health service delivery models, particularly people who inject drugs.
• Enhance training and support for community educators.
• Conduct a feasibility study into providing the full range of hepatitis C prevention interventions.
• Continue to support, expand access to and evaluate the effectiveness of the range of opioid pharmacotherapy programs in reducing transmission of hepatitis C. References
1. Mauss, S., Berg, T., Rockstroh, J., Sarrazin, C. and Wedemeyer, H. (2012). Short Guide to Hepatitis C. Flying Publisher. 15-16
2. Third National Hepatitis C Strategy 2010-2013. (2010) : 12-13
3.

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