Recent advances in hepatitis C

Nearly 2% of Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus, resulting in 8,000-10,000 deaths each year. The virus can be eradicated with interferon plus ribavirin in about 40% of patients treated for one year. Patients with a history of intravenous drug abuse or transfusion before July 1992 should be screened for hepatitis C, as should members of other high-risk groups. Infected patients should be counseled and if possible offered treatment. This will prevent unnecessary deaths from liver failure and hepatocarcinoma.