Testing Recommendations for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection
In August 2012, CDC published Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945–1965 (MMWR 2012;61(RR04);1-18).
- Adults born during 1945 through 1965
In 1998 CDC published guidelines for testing for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV-Related Chronic Disease [PDF - 54 pages] (MMWR 1998;47(RR-19)). A test for HCV antibodies is recommended for routine testing of asymptomatic persons with specific risk factors. For those with reactive test results, the anti-HCV test should be followed with an additional, supplemental or confirmatory test for presence of the virus.
- Currently injecting drugs
- Ever injected drugs, including those who injected once or a few times many years ago
- Have certain medical conditions, including persons :
- who received clotting factor concentrates produced before 1987
- who were ever on long-term hemodialysis
- with persistently abnormal alanine aminotransferase levels (ALT)
- Were prior recipients of transfusions or organ transplants, including persons who:
- were notified that they received blood from a donor who later tested positive for HCV infection
- received a transfusion of blood, blood components or an organ transplant before July 1992
- Healthcare, emergency medical, and public safety workers after needle sticks, sharps, or mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood
- Children born to HCV-positive women
- Health-care, emergency medical, and public safety workers
- Pregnant women
- Household (nonsexual) contacts of HCV-positive persons
- General population
- Recipients of transplanted tissue (e.g., corneal, musculoskeletal, skin, ova, sperm)
- Intranasal cocaine and other non-injecting illegal drug users
- Persons with a history of tattooing or body piercing
- Persons with a history of multiple sex partners or sexually transmitted diseases
- Long-term steady sex partners of HCV-positive persons
In 2009, Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents [PDF - 216 pages] (MMWR 2009; 58(RR04)) were published as Recommendations from CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
- All HIV-infected patients
Guidelines and Recommendations
Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945–1965 [PDF - 36 pages]
MMWR 2012; Vol. 61 (RR04)
Recommendations
for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection and HCV-Related
Chronic Disease [PDF - 54 pages]
MMWR 1998;47(RR-19)
Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of Opportunistic Infections in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents [PDF - 216 pages]
MMWR 2009; 58(RR04)
Other Hepatitis C-related Guidelines
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/Management.htm
Patient Education Tools
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/C/PatientEduC.htm