Gastro: Hepatitis C: Free MSRA Podcast

⚕️FREE MSRA PODCAST –Hepatitis C🎧 A high-yield breakdown of Hepatitis C – from transmission and diagnosis to thegame-changing modern treatments. Perfect for your MSRA revision. 🧠Key Learning Points📌Definition• Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).• It primarily targets the liver, leading to inflammation, and in chronic cases, cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). 📌 Causes & Transmission• Spread via blood-to-blood contact.• Top routes of transmission:IV drug use (sharing needles/syringes)Blood transfusions pre-1992 (UK)Needlestick injuries (e.g. healthcare settings)Perinatal transmission (6% risk, higher with HIV co-infection)Sexual transmission (lower risk than Hep B, but increased with STIs/multiple partners)Sharing razors or toothbrushes⚠️ No vaccine available – prevention is key. 📌Risk Factors• IV drug use• Blood transfusionbefore 1992• Long-term haemodialysis• Sexual contact with infected person• Occupational exposure (needlestick injuries)• Being born to an infected mother 📌Pathophysiology• HCV infects hepatocytes → triggers immune response.• The immune system's attempt to eliminate the virus causes chronic inflammation.• Over time → fibrosis, then cirrhosis, then possible HCC.• Progression risk increases with alcohol, obesity, diabetes, older age, and male sex. 📌Differential Diagnosis• Other viral hepatitis (A, B, D, E)• Autoimmune hepatitis• Drug-induced liver injury• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease• Alcoholic liver disease 📌 Epidemiology• UK: ~214,000 people with chronic HCV• 75% of infected → chronic infection• 20–30% develop cirrhosis over 20 years• Global burden: >180 million infected• High prevalence in people who inject drugs and regions with poor screening 📌Clinical Features• Acute phase: Often asymptomaticFatigue, nausea, jaundice, RUQ painOnly ~20–30% get noticeable symptoms • Chronic phase: Silent for yearsLater: fatigue, malaise, hepatomegaly, jaundice • Extrahepatic signs:CryoglobulinaemiaPolyarthritisPorphyria cutanea tardaLichen planusSjögren’s syndromeGlomerulonephritisType 2 diabetesNon-Hodgkin's lymphoma 📌 Diagnosis• Anti-HCV antibody test (initial screen)• HCV RNA test (confirms active infection)• HCV genotype test (optional but useful)• Other tests:LFTs, FBC, U&Es, INR, HBA1C, TSHHep A/B/HIV screeningFibroScan (elastography)Liver ultrasound ± AFP for HCC screening🧪 Antibody positive + RNA positive = chronic active infection 📌 Management• Refer to specialist (hepatology or infectious diseases)• Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) = gold standard8–12 week courseCure rates >95% • Lifestyle advice:No alcoholStop smokingMaintain healthy weight and diet • Vaccinate against Hep A and B • Educate about transmission preventionNo sharing razors, toothbrushesPractice safe sexAvoid donating blood • Contact tracing for household and partners • Monitor for liver cancer if cirrhosis present📌Complications• Cirrhosis• Hepatocellular carcinoma• Liver failure• Extrahepatic issues:📌Prognosis• Excellent with modern treatment (DAAs)📎More MSRA Resourcesfor Hepatitis C📝 Revision Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-c-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-c-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A Notes:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-c-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz:https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/hepatitis-c-rapid-quiz/🎓 Full Course:https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/gastroenterology-for-the-msra/ #MSRA #MSRARevision#HepatitisCMSRA #MSRAFlashcards #GastroenterologyMSRA #NICEGuidelines #MSRAExam#MSRAStudyMaterials #MedicalEducation #MSRAOnlineRevision#MultiSpecialityRecruitmentAssessment