Hepatitis C in 2019: Are We There Yet?

Chronic hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne pathogen worldwide. Upwards of half of the individuals infected with hepatitis C have not been diagnosed, and rates of screening remain low. Incidence, which had been declining, began increasing in 2011, mirroring the current opioid epidemic. Once infected, people with chronic hepatitis C are at risk for developing complications including end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to morbidity and mortality. These public health consequences of the hepatitis C epidemic are expected to increase over the coming decade.
Source: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Feature Article Source Type: research