Public Health Agency of Canada
www.publichealth.gc.ca
About Hepatitis C
Thank you for taking the time to take this quiz.
| 1. Hepatitis C is a disease that affects the: |
| The correct answer is 'b' Hepatitis C infection is characterized by inflammation of the liver. Many infected people may have no symptoms and are unaware of their condition, and unknowingly act as sources of infection and run the risk of developing chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and liver cancer. |
| 2. Acute Hepatitis C is defined as an infection that |
| The correct answer is 'c' Acute Hepatitis C lasts no longer than six months. Most people with acute Hepatitis C infection show no symptoms. Patients who do not completely resolve the infection after six months develop chronic Hepatitis C infection. |
| 3. Hepatitis C cannot be transmitted through: |
| The correct answer is 'a' Unlike Hepatitis A, Hepatitis C cannot be spread through contaminated food or water. The Hepatitis C virus is a pathogen that is transmitted through the transfer of infected blood. Therefore, needle-sharing among injection drug users is a risk behaviour. People who received blood transfusions prior to 1992 faced the risk of becoming infected with HCV. However, sophisticated blood screening techniques have now virtually eliminated that risk. Direct contact with blood from an infected individual also carries a risk of infection. |
| 4. Who is at risk for becoming infected with hepatitis C? |
| The correct answer is 'd' All of the above. Hepatitis C is a virus that is spread through direct blood-to-blood contact with an infected individual. Injection drug users (even one-time users) who have ever shared needles are at risk of HCV infection. People who received blood products before 1992 and health care workers exposed to needlestick injuries are also at risk. |
| 5. The risk of getting hepatitis C infection through a blood transfusion today is extremely low? |
| The correct answer is 'a' The risk of getting hepatitis C infection through a blood transfusion is now extremely low given the precautions that are taken in screening blood donors. All blood donors in Canada have been routinely tested for hepatitis C since 1990. However, as with many diagnostic tests, these are not 100% accurate in detecting the virus, especially if the donor has very recently become infected. The probability of detecting hepatitis C is 1 in 103,000 units of blood. However, with the implementation of a new HCV screening technique called Nucleic Acid Amplification Technique, the risk is expected to decrease to 1 in 500,000. Inquire about the possibility of donating your own blood before surgery. |
| 6. Presently, the major mode of transmission of the hepatitis C virus is by: |
| The correct answer is 'c' These are all possible modes of transmission. However, the major mode is through injection drug use. It is estimated that 60% of all new HCV infections are due to injection drug users sharing contaminated needles and related equipment. It need not be regular or heavy drug use, nor do users have to share needles to be at risk of contracting hepatitis C. Transmission through blood transfusions was a higher risk with insufficient blood screening techniques prior to 1992. Current research tells us that the risks of transmitting hepatitis C through sexual intercourse is very low. Mother-to-child transmission ranges from 5 - 10% and slightly higher if the mother is co-infected with HIV. |
| 7. Many people who have been infected with hepatitis C do not know they have the disease because they feel healthy and show no symptoms? |
| The correct answer is 'a' Many people who have been infected with hepatitis C do not know they have the disease because they show no symptoms. Hepatitis C is a disease that progresses slowly. Some people infected with HCV may show no symptoms until 20 or 30 years after the initial infection. Symptoms can include fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal pain or discomfort, or jaundice (a condition where the eyes and skin have a yellow appearance). |
| 8. Which of the following is NOT considered a risk behaviour for contracting hepatitis C? |
| The correct answer is 'd' Blood donors are not at risk of contracting hepatitis C. Sterile equipment is used and needles are never shared between donors, nor is there any contact with other blood products. Intra nasal (snorting) cocaine use is considered a risk behaviour for contracting hepatitis C. Needles that have become contaminated with infected blood during tattooing and piercing practices are also a risk for HCV infection. Therefore, hygiene and infection control are an important part of ensuring that HCV is not transmitted by these means. |
| 9. It is possible to contract the hepatitis C virus by __________ an infected person. |
| The correct answer is 'a' Hepatitis C is not spread through casual physical contact. A person cannot contract hepatitis C by shaking hands, hugging or kissing an infected individual. However, it is possible to become infected by sharing a toothbrush or razor with an infected person. This is because the toothbrush or razor may contain traces of blood that carry the virus. |
| We hope you have learned more about hepatitis C. Do you think you could be infected with the hepatitis C virus? Only a blood test can accurately determine if you are infected or not. If you think you might be at risk after doing this quiz, make sure you discuss it with your family physician at your next visit. |
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