hepatic and biliary disorders
Hepatitis C, Acute
Key Points
Hepatitis C is usually transmitted by parenteral contact with contaminated blood; transmission from mucosal contact with other body fluids and perinatal transmission from infected mothers are rare. About 75% of patients with acute hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis C, which leads to cirrhosis in 20 to 30%; some patients with cirrhosis develop hepatocellular carcinoma. Diagnose by testing for antibody to HCV and HCV RNA. Treat with antiviral drugs after initial diagnosis of hepatitis C, without waiting for spontaneous resolution. There is no vaccine for hepatitis C. 