Publication at Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Králové |
2016
Abstract
Viral hepatitis is a severe, infectious liver disease. These diseases are caused by different hepatotropic viruses.
Hepatitis C virus is a genetically variable. The virus occurs in many different types and subtypes.
HCV is transmitted parenterally. Intravenous drug users are the primary at-risk group in developed countries.
The course of the disease is mostly asymtomatic. It often becomes chronic.
Chronic stage is characterized by serious health complications, possibly leading to the patients death. Only 15-45% of HCV infected patients are to eliminate the virus without treatment.
New antiviral drugs show higher efficacy and better tolerability of treatment recently. HCV vaccine is not yet available, but its development is in process.