Hepatitis%20c Management

Primary Prevention

• At present, there is no available vaccine for HCV
• The prevention of HCV would depend on the reduction of the risk of exposure especially in patients in healthcare setting and those who are in a high-risk population (eg IV drug use and through sexual contact)
• Recommended primary intervention:
  
  • Hand hygiene should include proper surgical hand preparation, hand washing and use of gloves
  • Appropriate and safe use of injection
  • Proper handling and disposal of sharp needles and other objects and waste
  • Comprehensive harm-reduction services should be provided to IV drug users including the use of sterile injecting equipments
  • Sterilization of equipments
  • All healthcare personnel should be trained
  • Donated blood should be tested for HBV, HCV, HIV and syphilis
  • Proper and consistent use of condoms should be promoted

Secondary and Tertiary Prevention

• Recommendations for people who are infected with HCV:
  
  • Conduct an education and counseling program for patient care and treatment
  • Immunization with hepatitis A and B vaccines are recommended to prevent coinfection and provide protection to the liver
  • Early and appropriate use of antiviral therapy
  • Regular monitoring is the key to early diagnosis of chronic liver disease
    • Continue hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis as an SVR will only reduce but not remove the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma