Bloodborne Pathogens Identified

Hepatitis C

 

Hepatitis C virus, formally known as "non-A, non-B hepatitis," is the common cause of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also "the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States"² and contracted by blood or blood products or sexual contact. Forty percent of cases are of an unknown source found in the general population.

 

Of the documented cases of HCV, 80% of patients do not exhibit any signs or symptoms. Those infected with HCV are infectious to others. Chronic liver disease or other HCV-related chronic diseases can develop during the first two or more decades following initial infection for hepatitis C virus carriers.

 

There is no vaccine currently that prevents the spread of HCV infection.

 

Now test your knowledge! You do not need a minimum score for any of the "Practice Time" Activities. These are to help review the material covered thus far!  

 

 

 Practice Time!   

 

 

If you have any questions at any time regarding the information presented in this tutorial, please contact David Sullivan at 910-916-0688.

 

 

 

¹(Eisenberg, R.L. & Johnson, N.M. (2012).Comprehensive radiographic pathology (5^th Ed). St. Louis, Mo: Mosby Elsevier.)

²(North Carolina Department of Labor (2010). A guide to bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.)

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