top of page
Chronic Hepatitis C disease - Key Points
​
-
Screening is indicated at least once in all persons aged over 18
​​
-
Order hepatitis C antibody. If positive, then order hepatitis C viral load (RNA) testing
​​
-
Hep C antibody (+) but Hep C viral load (-) = person was previously exposed to the hepatitis C virus but may or may not have an active infection.
​​
-
Hep C antibody (+) & Hep C viralload (+) = presence of the virus and active HCV infection
​WORK-UP​
-
Screen for Hep B (order HBsAg, anti-HBs, and anti-HBc) and HIV (HIV 4th generation).
​​
-
Order platelet count, INR, liver enzymes, BMP, and abdominal ultrasound
​​
-
Evaluate the extent of liver fibrosis related to Hepatitis C
-
Use of clinical scores (FIB-4 and APRI) and FibroScan
-
Liver biopsy is no longer recommended due to being an invasive test
-
​​
-
Abdominal ultrasound may not be necessary for all patients, though findings may suggest cirrhosis or discover tumors, nodules, or ascites.
​​
TREATMENT [high yield]
-
Glecaprevir (300 mg)/pibrentasvir (120 mg) for 8 weeks, or
-
Sofosbuvir (400 mg)/velpatasvir (100 mg) for 12 weeks
bottom of page