Hepatitis C (HCV) is the leading cause for liver transplantation and liver cancer in the United States.
A further increase in Hepatitis C induced liver failure and cancer over the next 10-15 years is predicted without diagnosis and treatment. Treatment can reduce these risks. However, it is estimated that 78% of patients with Hepatitis C are not diagnosed.
The Hepatology Clinic at Hartford Hospital's Comprehensive Liver Center is providing recently FDA-approved treatments that have a cure rate of up to 80% for all genotypes of Hepatitis C, including excellent results for patients with non response to previous available therapies.
We strongly recommend screening all patients with potential risk factors for Hepatitis C and would appreciate the opportunity to participate in the care of any Hepatitis C patient.
Persons for whom HCV screening is recommended:
- All those born from 1945 - 1965 (Baby Boomers)
- 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
- Health care, emergency medical and public safety workers after a needle stick injury or mucosal exposure to HCV-positive blood
- Current sexual partners of HCV-infected persons AASLD GUIDELINES HEPATOLOGY, Vol. 49, No. 4, 2009
Patients with Hepatitis C can get all the expert care they need in one place – The Hepatology Clinic at Hartford Hospital’s Comprehensive Liver Center.