-History & Physical done, above.
-Risk factors for Hepatitis C reviewed with patient.
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-HCV is a curable disease.
–Guidelines for screening for HCV reviewed.
-The hepatitis C virus is spread through contact with infected blood (usually unscreened blood transfusions, which were the norm before 1992), IV drug use, or high-risk sexual activity.
-The CDC and the USPSTF recommend one-time screening of patients born between 1945 and 1965. It is estimated that this cohort includes 75% of all patients who have chronic hepatitis C. Limiting the screening to only patients with high-risk medical or clinical histories will only catch 20-33% of all infected patients.
-Will get HCV antibody test. If positive, will confirm the diagnosis with an HCV RNA test.
-Will order an HCV genotype test prior to referral to a hepatologist / HCV specialist for treatment evaluation.
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“The hepatitis C virus is spread through contact with infected blood (usually unscreened blood transfusions, which were the norm before 1992), intravenous drug use, or high-risk sexual activity. However, studies have shown that screening only patients with high-risk medical or clinical histories will identify just 20%–33% of infected patients. As a different strategy, both the CDC and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have recommended one-time screening of patients born between 1945 and 1965. It is estimated that this cohort includes 75% of all patients who have chronic hepatitis C.” ABFM