Work-Related Diseases
Find information on occupational work-related diseases including diseases, category and group, synonyms, severity, latency, risk factors, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatments and options.
Hepatitis C
Occupational Disease Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C Category Infection, Occupational
Hepatitis C Severity
Acute-Moderate
Hepatitis C Synonyms
Parenterally transmitted non-A, non-B hepatitis
Information on Hepatitis C Symptoms, Diagnosis, Prognosis, Screening and Imaging
Severity ranges from asymptomatic (more than 90% of cases) to fatal. Chronic liver disease with elevated liver function tests occurs in 50%-80% of infected adults. About 50% of adults with chronic infection will eventually develop cirrhosis or liver cancer. Before routine screening of blood donors with anti-HCV, hepatitis C caused most cases of post-transfusion hepatitis. About 1% of the world's population are infected with hepatitis C. Interferon alpha therapy is beneficial in some cases of chronic hepatitis. [Chin, p. 251-3] Hepatitis C RNA can be detected as early as 10 days after exposure. Hepatitis C antibodies can be detected at a median of 50 to 70 days after exposure. After an accidental needlestick injury to a healthcare worker, hepatiis C can be excluded when six months have passed and the HCV antibodies are negative and the liver enzymes are not elevated. [JAMA 2002;287(18):2406-12]
Hepatitis C Latency
2 weeks to 6 months (usually 6-9 weeks)
Hepatitis C References
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/index.htm