Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C has been identified as the most common cause of post-transfusion hepatitis worldwide, accounting for approximately 90% of this disease in Japan, the United States and Western Europe. Hepatitis C is a major global public health problem. New infections continue to occur, and the source of...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2000-01-01
|
| Series: | Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2000/630301 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Hepatitis C has been identified as
the most common cause of post-transfusion hepatitis worldwide,
accounting for approximately 90% of this disease in Japan, the
United States and Western Europe. Hepatitis C is a major global
public health problem. New infections continue to occur, and the
source of infection includes transfusion of blood or blood products
from unscreened donors; transfusion of blood products that have
not undergone viral inactivation; parenteral exposure to blood
through use of contaminated and inadequately sterilized instruments
and needles used in medical, dental and ‘traditional’ medicine;
procedures such as hemodialysis; high risk sexual practices;
household or sexual contacts of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected
persons; and infants of HCV-infected mothers. In many countries,
the relative contribution of the various sources of infection has not
been defined with population-based epidemiological studies. Such
studies are necessary to enable countries to prioritize their preventive
measures and to make the most appropriate use of available resources.
Given the substantial morbidity and mortality
attributable to HCV-related chronic liver disease, each country,
irrespective of economic status, should develop a plan of HCVrelated
public health activities for the prevention of newHCVinfections
and the treatment of established chronic infections. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0835-7900 |