Anti Hcv

Anti Hcv. Geographical DistributionTransmissionSymptomsTesting and DiagnosisGetting TestedTreatmentPreventionSummary of Key RecommendationsWho ResponseHepatitis C is found worldwide The most affected regions are the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and the WHO European Region with an estimated prevalence in 2015 of 23% and 15% respectively Prevalence of HCV infection in other WHO regions varies from 05% to 10% Depending on the country hepatitis C virus infection can be concentrated in certain populations For example 23% of new HCV infections and 33% of HCV mortality is attributable to injecting drug use Yet people who inject drugs and people in prisons are not often included in national responses In countries where infection control practices are or were historically insufficient HCV infection is often widely distributed in the general population There are multiple strains (or genotypes) of the HCV virus and their distribution varies by region However in many countries the genotype distribution remains unknown The hepatitis C virus is a bloodborne virus It is most commonly transmitted through 1 injecting drug use through the sharing of injection equipment 2 the reuse or inadequate sterilization of medical equipment especially syringes and needles in healthcare settings 3 the transfusion of unscreened blood and blood products 4 sexual practices that lead to exposure to blood (for example among men who have sex with men particularly those with HIV infection or those taking preexposure prophylaxis against HIV infection) HCV can also be transmitted sexually and can be passed from an infected mother to her baby however these modes of transmission are less common Hepatitis C is not spread through breast milk food water or casual contact such as hugging kissing and sharing food or drinks with an infected person WHO estimates that in 2015 there were 175 million new HCV infections in the world (237 new HCV infections per 100 000 people) The incubation period for hepatitis C ranges from 2 weeks to 6 months Following initial infection approximately 80% of people do not exhibit any symptoms Those who are acutely symptomatic may exhibit fever fatigue decreased appetite nausea vomiting abdominal pain dark urine greycoloured faeces joint pain and jaundice (yellowing of skin and the whites of the eyes) Because new HCV infections are usually asymptomatic few people are diagnosed when the infection is recent In those people who go on to develop chronic HCV infection the infection is also often undiagnosed because it remains asymptomatic until decades after infection when symptoms develop secondary to serious liver damage HCV infection is diagnosed in 2 steps 1 Testing for antiHCV antibodies with a serological test identifies people who have been infected with the virus 2 If the test is positive for antiHCV antibodies a nucleic acid test for HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) is needed to confirm chronic infection because about 30% of people infected with HCV spontaneously clear the infection by a strong immune response without the need for treatment Although no longer infected they will still test positive for antiHCV antibodies Aftera person has been diagnosed with chronic HCV infection he or she should havean assessment of the degree of liver damage (fibrosis and cirrhosis Early diagnosis can prevent health problems that may result from infection and prevent transmission of the virus WHO recommends testing people who may be at increased risk of infection Populations at increased risk of HCV infection include 1 people who inject drugs 2 people in prisons and other closed settings 3 people who use drugs through other routes of administration (noninjecting) 4 men who have sex with men (MsM) 5 recipients of infected blood products or invasive procedures in healthcare facilities with inadequate infection control practices 6 children born to mothers infected with HCV 7 people with HIV infection 8 prisoners or previously incarcerated persons and 9 people who have had tattoos or piercings In settings with high HCV antibody seroprevalence in the general population (defined as >2% or >5% HCV antibody seroprevalence) WHO recommends that all adults have access to and be offered HCV testing with linkage to prevention care and treatment se A new infection with HCV does not always require treatment as the immune response in some people will clear the infection However when HCV infection becomes chronic treatment is necessary The goal of hepatitis C treatment is cure WHO’s updated 2018 guidelines recommend therapy with pangenotypic directacting antivirals (DAAs) DAAs can cure most persons with HCV infection and treatment duration is short (usually 12 to 24 weeks) depending on the absence or presence of cirrhosis WHOrecommends treating all persons with chronic HCV infection over the age of 12with pangenotypic DAAs Pangenotypic DAAs remain expensive in many high anduppermiddleincome countries However prices have dropped dramatically inmany countries (primarily lowincome and lower middleincome countries) due tothe introduction of generic versions of these medicines Access to HCV treatment is improving but remains too limited In 2017 of the 71 million persons living with HCV infection globally an Primary prevention Thereis no effective vaccine against hepatitis C prevention of HCV infectiondepends upon reducing the risk of exposure to the virus in healthcare settingsand in higher risk populations forexample people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men particularlythose infected with HIV or those who are taking preexposure prophylaxisagainst HIV The following list provides a limited example of primary prevention interventions recommended by WHO 1 safe and appropriate use of health care i Secondary prevention For people infected with the hepatitis C virus WHO recommends 1 education and counselling on options for care and treatment 2 immunization with the hepatitis A and B vaccines to prevent coinfection from these hepatitis viruses and to protect their liver 3 early and appropriate medical management including antiviral therapy and 4 regular monitoring for early diagnosis of chronic liver disease Screening care and treatment of persons with hepatitis C infection In July 2018 WHO updated its “Guidelines for the care and treatment of persons diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus infection” These guidelines are intended for government officials to use as the basis for developing national hepatitis policies plans and treatment guidelines These include country programme managers and healthcare providers responsible for planning and implementing hepatitis care and treatment programmes particularly in low and middleincome countries 1 Guidelines An alcohol intake assessment is recommended for all persons with HCV virus infection followed by the offer of a behavioural alcohol reduction intervention for persons with moderatetohigh alcohol intake In resourcelimited settings the aminotransferase/platelet ratio index (APRI) or FIB4 tests should be used for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis rather than other noninvasive tests that require more resources such as elastography or fibrotest In May 2016 The World Health Assembly adopted the first “Global Health Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis 20162021” The strategy highlights the critical role of universal health coverage and sets targets that align with those of the Sustainable Development Goals The strategy has a vision to eliminate viral hepatitis as a public health problem This is encapsulated in the global targets to reduce new viral hepatitis infections by 90% and reduce deaths due to viral hepatitis by 65% by 2030 Actions to be taken by countries and the WHO Secretariat to reach these targets are outlined in the strategy WHO is working in the following areas to support countries in moving towards achieving the global hepatitis goals under the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 1 raising awareness promoting partnerships and mobilizing resources 2 formulating evidencebased policy and data for action 3 increase health equities within the hepatitis response 4 preventing transmission and 5 scal.

antiHCV test looks for antibodies to the hepatitis C virus in blood Antibodies are chemicals released into the bloodstream when someone gets infected Test results can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to come back Rapid antiHCV tests are.

Hepatitis C World Health Organization

antiHCV Antibody to hepatitis C virus The presence of antiHCV in a blood sample indicates past or present infection with the virus.

Hepatitis C antibody: Test of Hepatitis C Viral Hepatitis

Hepatitis C antibody (HCV Ab antiHCV) Hepatitis C for Patients Hepatitis C This is the first test for determining whether you have been infected with hepatitis C The results will come back as either positive or negative Explanation of test result.