[Hepatitis C--clinical aspects, diagnosis and therapy]

Hepatitis C is caused by a flavivirus measuring 30 to 60 nm in diameter which in Germany has an incidence of 0.4 to 0.7% among the general population. Transmission is largely hematogenous and high-risk groups include needle-using drug addicts, hemophiliacs, and patients on dialysis. The diagnosis is based on the detection of hepatitis C antibodies, HCV-RNS PCR and histological findings. The symptoms are mild and the chronification rate may by as high as 80%. The treatment of choice is alpha interferon.