Page 245 - fourth year book

HEPATITIS C VIRUS

Diagnosis of Hepatitis C

1. Medical History

Many cases of hepatitis C remain undiagnosed. It is important to obtain
from all new patients a detailed history of previous and current illnesses,
surgeries, transfusion, organ transplantation, smoking, drug and alcohol
use or any body-piercing and/or tattoos that are important for clinicians

to know.
2. Physical Examination

A physical examination is an essential part of the evaluation of any

patient. A thorough medical history and physical exam provide valuable
information about the patient’s overall condition, symptoms and
whether it is likely to have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

3. Test for Hepatitis C Virus

A. As part of a comprehensive health evaluation, all persons should be
screened for behaviors that place them at high risk for HCV infection.

Persons for Whom HCV Screening is Recommended Routinely

 Persons who have injected illicit drugs in the recent and remote past,
including those who injected only once and do not consider
themselves to be drug users.

 Persons with conditions associated with a high prevalence of HCV
infection including:

 Persons with HIV infection

 Persons with hemophilia who received clotting factor
concentrates prior to 1987

 Persons who have ever been on hemodialysis

 Persons with unexplained abnormal aminotransferase levels

 Prior recipients of transfusions or organ transplants prior to July 1992
including:

 Persons who were notified that they had received blood from a
donor who later tested positive for HCV infection

 Persons who received a transfusion of blood or blood products

 Persons who received an organ transplant

 Children born to HCV-infected mothers

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