Counseling the Patient with Hepatitis C Infection

You answered:

A It is unlikely that he got infected with hepatitis C through injection drug use since that was years ago and occurred only for brief period of time.

This answer is incorrect. Injection drug use is the most common risk factor for hepatitis C infection in the United States. A person can acquire hepatitis C from one episode of injecting drugs. Infection is associated not only with sharing needles or syringes, but also with sharing drug preparation equipment such as cookers, cottons, and rinse water.

B His test result indicates that he has chronic hepatitis C infection.
C Chronic hepatitis C infection can be associated with long term complications such as liver failure, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.
D Most individuals who have hepatitis C experience jaundice and flu-like symptoms from this infection.

[Back to Question | Go to Correct Answer]