What Does this Course Contain?

Module One:  Overview of HCV and Effects
This module provides an overview of the HCV, basic function of the liver, overview of HCV infection, risk factors for HCV infection, overview of incidence and prevalence, signs and symptoms of hepatitis C, the natural history and progression of hepatitis C, acute hepatitis C infection, chronic hepatitis C infection, health consequences of chronic HCV infection, co-infection, and a case study.

Module Two:  Modes of Transmission
This module addresses issues related to transmission of the HCV: misconceptions, injection drug use, intranasal drug use, tattooing and body piercing, transfusions and transplantations, sexual transmission, mother-to-infant transmission, occupational transmission, and a case study.

Module Three:  Affected Populations
This module discusses substance users and abusers, inmates in correctional facilities, pregnant women, veterans, and other groups.

Module Four:  Diagnosis and Testing
This module discusses who should be tested, why individuals should be tested, and a review of diagnostic tools.

Module Five:  Treatment
This module reviews primary treatment options, interferon treatment, who should be treated with interferon, efficacy and side effects, pegylated interferon, combination therapy with ribavarin, other medications, and liver transplantations.

Module Six:  Prevention
This module discusses HCV vaccines, prevention efforts, prevention messages for persons who inject drugs, and prevention messages for people at risk for sexually transmitted diseases.

Post-test Questionnaire