Abstract
Hepatitis C is a major global issue with increasing incidence levels. At least 177.5 million people are estimated to live with this infection.
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) belongs among the RNA viruses from the Flaviviridae family. It is divided into six genotypes.
The most common routes of HCV transmission include intravenous drug abuse, unprotected genital-genital and genital-anal sex, tattooing, and piercing. In the past the infection was also communicated by untreated blood transfusions.
HCV can be transmitted vertically from the mother to the foetus during pregnancy and/or while giving birth. The risk of the foetus being infected does not exceed 15%.
Up to 20% spontaneous clearance of the virus by the age of four has been observed. Another 6-12% of those infected with HCV are spontaneously cured before they reach adulthood.
This case study demonstrates the numerous changes which the therapy of HCV infection has undergone over time.