Busan Daedong Hospital Participates in 'Early Detection Pilot Project for Hepatitis C Patients'

Many Asymptomatic Cases Make Early Infection Detection Difficult... Early Diagnosis Enables Effective Treatment

Daedong Hospital participates in the pilot project for early detection of hepatitis C. [Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Daedong Hospital (Director Park Kyung-hwan) National Health Screening Center will participate in the ‘C Hepatitis Patient Early Detection Pilot Project’ promoted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (Director Jung Eun-kyung) from September 1 to October 31 to eradicate the disease through early detection and treatment of hepatitis C patients.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recently found that the positive rate of hepatitis C antibodies sharply increases to 1.6% from age 55, and thus is conducting a pilot project this year targeting those born in 1964 among general health screening subjects.

Participants who undergo health screening at medical institutions participating in the pilot project will receive hepatitis C antibody testing together. If the first antibody test is positive, the agency will cover the full cost of the second confirmatory test and treatment.

If a general health screening was conducted by the National Health Insurance Service before August 31, 2020, or if the screening is done after the pilot project period ends on October 31, or if the consent form for participation and use of test results is not submitted, the test cannot be performed.

Hepatitis C is an acute and chronic liver disease caused by infection with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and is classified as a Class 3 notifiable infectious disease. It is transmitted through blood, such as sharing needles, hemodialysis, blood transfusion, vertical transmission from mother to child, and sexual contact, while the possibility of transmission between people in daily life is low.

Symptoms appear after an average incubation period of 6 to 10 weeks, and in acute hepatitis C, 70 to 80% of patients have no symptoms or experience mild cold-like symptoms.

Typical symptoms of acute hepatitis C include general fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and discomfort in the right upper abdomen.

Statistically, about 54 to 86% progress to chronic hepatitis C, and since many cases are asymptomatic, it is often discovered incidentally during health screenings.

Chronic hepatitis C may first present with complications of cirrhosis such as liver failure and portal hypertension. There are six genotypes of hepatitis C, and the treatment drugs vary depending on the genotype.

Kim Ji-yeon, Head of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center at Daedong Hospital (specialist in gastroenterology), said, “Hepatitis C tends to become chronic more often than hepatitis B, but it is difficult to notice infection easily and most cases are asymptomatic, so it is often left untreated.”

Dr. Kim added, “Although there is no preventive vaccine, early detection allows for complete cure through a certain period of drug treatment, so it is advisable for eligible individuals to confirm their status through this pilot project.”

To prevent hepatitis C, it is necessary to follow rules such as not reusing disposable medical devices, proper disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical devices, adherence to safe injection practices, prohibition of sharing toothbrushes, razors, nail clippers, etc. with hepatitis C carriers, and practicing safe sex.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.