[The general practitioner facing hepatitis C]

Infection due to hepatitis C virus is currently a major public health problem, worldwide but also in Belgium. Indeed, 200 million people (3% of the world population, 1% of the Belgian population) are infected with, in more than 80% of the cases, an evolution toward chronic infection with the potential development of severe liver disease (chronic hepatitis with fibrosis, cirrhosis, hepatocarcinoma). The general practitioner has a central position in the management of hepatitis C. His role is to prevent the infection, giving advice on the risk factors, to screen high risk groups, to monitor infected patients and to discuss with him the indications and contra-indications for antiviral therapy and to follow the treated patient in close collaboration wit the hepatogastroenterologist to ensure adherence, to manage the side effects and to monitor the non treated patient as well as the non responder.