Hepatitis C

Viral hepatitis C, referred to as hepatitis C, is a viral hepatitis caused by infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), mainly transmitted through blood transfusion, needlestick injuries, and drug use. Hepatitis C is pandemic worldwide. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, the global HCV infection rate is approximately 3%, with an estimated 180 million people infected with HCV, and approximately 35,000 new cases of hepatitis C each year. Hepatitis C virus is an RNA virus that can currently be divided into 6 different genotypes and subtypes, such as 1a, 2b, and 3c. Genotype 1 is distributed worldwide and accounts for more than 70% of all HCV infections. Hepatitis C virus is sensitive to common chemical disinfectants, and the virus can be inactivated by high-temperature heating and formaldehyde fumigation. HCV replicates in hepatocytes, damages liver cells, and can cause chronic hepatic inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. Some patients may progress to liver cirrhosis or even hepatocellular carcinoma. Some data indicate that mortality related to HCV infection (deaths due to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma) will continue to increase over the next 20 years, posing a great threat to patient health and life, and it has become a serious social and public health problem. The clinical manifestations of hepatitis C are similar to those of hepatitis B, but its threat to human health is no less than that of hepatitis B. There is currently no effective vaccine to prevent hepatitis C, but as long as it is detected early and treated according to standard protocols, most hepatitis C patients can achieve clinical cure.