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Vox Sang 1998;74 Suppl 2:143-146

Epidemiology of the hepatitis C virus.

Ebeling F

Finnish Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service, Helsinki, Finland. freja.ebeling@bts.redcross.fi

According to WHO estimations, about 3% of the world population may be infected with the hepatitis C virus. The relative prevalences of subtypes of this virus vary in different geographic areas. The main known routes of transmission are parenteral; intravenous drug abuse, contaminated injection devices and receipt of unscreened blood. Sexual, vertical, household and nosocomial transmissions may occur, but seem to be rare. The risk of screened blood or blood products is now almost eliminated, but unscreened blood is a considerable risk in areas where screening is economically not possible. The future impact of this virus is greatly dependent on the trends in intravenous drug use as well as the possible emergence of increased late morbidity among present asymptomatic carriers during the next decades.

PMID: 9704437, UI: 98370060

Table of Contents

Site Topics

  • HCV Symptoms

    You'll find links to a comprehensive symptoms list, as well as various studies and discussions about Hepatitis C symptoms.

  • Lab Tests

    What they are and what they mean. Helps you interpret & understand all the various hepatitis lab tests likely to be encountered.

  • Hepatitis C Genotypes

    Learn about Hepatitis C Genotypes and their variants.

  • Viral Load

    Provides detailed information on how to analyze and interpret viral load numbers as well as a link to a convenient Viral Load Chart.

  • What is...?

    Learn more about various Hepatitis C related topics, including HCV, Ascites, Biopsies, and much more.

  • HCV Medicines

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  • Glossary

    Commonly used medical terms and definitions.

  • Hepatitis C Doctors

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  • Biopsy Info

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  • Cirrhosis

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  • Liver Cancer

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  • HCV Transmission

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  • HCV Natural Remedies

    A number of herbal products useful in the management of liver disease.

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  • Hepatitis C Forum

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  • Hepatitis C Activism

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