Wk 30: Hepatitis C Flashcards
1
Q
What is hep C?
A
Blood borne, single stranded, enveloped RNA virus
2
Q
How is Hep C transmitted?
A
- IVDU
- Vertical
- Sexual exposure
- Transfusion
- Needle stick injury
- Tattooing, piercing, dental work
3
Q
What is the incubation period of hep C?
A
6-8 wks
4
Q
What are the risk factors for disease progression of hep C?
A
- Alcohol
- Older age
- Male
- Obesity
- Diabetes/insulin resistance
- HIV/HBV coinfection
5
Q
Who is screened for hep C?
A
- Unexplained LFTs
- Injected drugs
- Children of infected mothers
- Sexual partner is infected
- Received tattoos, piercings or acupuncture w/ poor infection control procedures
6
Q
How is Hep C diagnosed?
A
- Symptoms
- Blood tests
- Hep C antibodies
- Serology for Hep C viral RNA
- Liver biopsy
- Viral genotyping
7
Q
Before starting treatment, what needs to be investigated?
A
- HCV genotype
- HCV RNA
- Treatment niabe/experienced
- Liver disease
- Bloods - FBC, INR, LFTs, renal
8
Q
What is used to treat hep C?
A
- Peginterferon + Ribavirin
- 24 weeks, 12-16 weeks if non-cirrhotic patients achieve a Rapid Viral Response at week 4
- 48 weeks
- Monitoring: FBC weekly for month, then monthly + thyroid function
9
Q
What are the side effects of peginterferon?
A
- Anaemia
- Flu like symptoms
- Thrombocytopenia
- Depression
- Mood changes
10
Q
What are the side effects of ribavirin?
A
- Haemolytic anaemia
- Nausea
- Rash
- Cough
- Gout
