Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is caused by
hepatitis C virus (HCV)
infection. HCV
infection causes acute
hepatitis, and the majority of those infected progress to
chronic hepatitis, and some of them develop
cirrhosis and
hepatocellular carcinoma.
Transmission of HCV is parenteral, and the major
transmission routes include drug abuse, insecure
injections or medical
procedures, contaminated
syringes or
needles, sexual contact with an HCV-infected
person, vertical
infection of
newborns by infected
mothers, the transfusion of
blood or
blood products contaminated with
viruses, and
organ transplants. As no
vaccine against HCV is available, HCV management involves blocking routes of
transmission transmission,
screening for HCV
infection, and protecting
liver disease progression by
treatment. Highly potent oral direct
antiviral agents are now available. Therefore, early
detection through nation-wide
screening program and appropriate
treatment should be implemented to improve the
quality of life of
patients with HCV. Furthermore, for the effective HCV control in
South Korea, The
organization of an ‘integrated national viral
hepatitis control system’ is desirable.