Hepatitis C screening is an important public health precaution, and the US Preventive Services Task Force recommends thorough screening standards. Individuals should examine the following key points:
- Age Range: The suggested screening is for anyone aged 18 to 79, emphasising the need for early detection and intervention.
- Individuals at High Risk: Screening is especially important for people who are at high risk of contracting Hepatitis C. These are the high-risk groups:
1. Drug Use
Anyone who has ever injected, snorted, or inhaled illegal narcotics, as sharing drug paraphernalia, offers a considerable risk.
2. Unexplained Abnormal Liver
People with unexplained atypical liver test findings should be screened for Hepatitis C.
3. Babies Born to Infected Mom
Hepatitis C-infected moms' newborns should be tested to ensure timely diagnosis.
4. Healthcare and Emergency Services Personnel
Those working in healthcare or emergency services who have come into touch with blood or have had needlestick injuries are at risk.
5. Dialysis or Hemophilia
People with haemophilia who were treated with clotting factors before 1987, as well as those receiving long-term hemodialysis, are at an increased risk.
6. Organ Transplant
Individuals who have received blood or organ transplants before 1992 should consider screening.
7. Sexual Partners
Sexual partners of Hepatitis C patients should be tested.
8. Co-Infections
People with HIV or those about to begin pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention should be checked for co-infections.
9. Incarceration History
Anyone with a history of incarceration should consider screening.
Thus, screening is critical for early detection, especially in high-risk groups. Infections are diagnosed in two steps, using serological and nucleic acid assays.
Prevention is still the most important factor, with healthcare and harm reduction efforts playing critical roles. Raising awareness and screening rates can help to lessen the impact of Hepatitis C on individuals and society.