75 Percent of College Students Report Risk Factors for Hepatitis C

One of the other concerning findings was the low frequency that the undergraduates were asked about viral hepatitis/HIV risk factors when seen by their primary-care providers. “The majority of the group had been to the physician for a healthcare maintenance examination in the last three years, but during that visit most had never been asked about behaviors that put them at risk for serious infection,” says Shehab. Given the prevalence of these behaviors, researchers say further study should focus on this high-risk age group.

Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The infection is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person. HCV can be spread through contaminated needles, unsterilized tattoo or body piercing equipment, and shared toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers or other hygiene items that have HCV-infected blood on them. There is no vaccine against HCV. Serious complications include chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver cancer.

Source: American College of Gastroenterology