Hepatitis C – Current Knowledge

Hepatitis C – Current Knowledge is organized by e-EdCredits.

Date Expires: Jul 31, 2023

Contact Hours: 1 Contact Hour(s)

Course Description:
Many different viruses can lead to injury of liver cells producing hepatitis. Some of these are considered primary hepatitis viruses whereas others may produce hepatitis as part of their overall infection. For the primary hepatitis viruses, for years only two were distinctly known and were called Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Everything else was labeled non-A non-B hepatitis. In 1989, Choo and Kuo identified an RNA viral strand that was felt to be the cause of non-A non-B hepatitis. This RNA virus was soon labeled Hepatitis C (HCV). Since the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus, several distinct genetic variants have been identified based on different nucleic acid sequences.

Objectives
• Discuss the potential clinical impact of Hepatitis C infections and how patients are diagnosed and followed up.
• Describe the different ways in which the Hepatitis C virus can be transmitted between adults and children through perinatal transmission and breastfeeding.
• Discuss the potential treatment options for Hepatitis C infected individuals, the limitations of treatment, and the potential for an effective future vaccine or immunoglobulin.

Additional details will be posted as soon as information is available.