If you have patients or clients diagnosed with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), review the following testing and treatment protocols recommended by public health.
Download Hepatitus C Virus - Resources for health care providers PDF.
Testing
- Arrange for Hepatitis C RNA (PCR) testing (if not already done).*
- Refer to the Hepatitis C Testing Guide available on BCCDC’s website for more information on testing.
*Notes: HCV RNA testing will automatically be completed by the lab on client serology when:
- It is the clients first anti-HCV reactive result
- The client had a previous anti-HCV reactive results where HCV RNA testing has never been done.
- If an additional EDTA tube is required for HCV RNA testing, instructions for completion will be noted on the BCCDC Provincial Lab result.
Treatment
- It is highly recommended to refer your client to an Infectious Disease specialist for a treatment assessment.
- Refer to the Hepatitis C Treatment Guide available on BCCDC’s website for more information on treatment.
Recommended immunizations
Review your clients vaccine records and recommend the following free vaccines to help protect people living with Hepatitis C infection:
- Hepatitis A Vaccine.
- Hepatitis B Vaccine.
- Pneumococcal Vaccine.
- Annual Influenza Vaccine.
Vaccines can be accessed through public health, pharmacists or at some medical clinics.
- For information on how to get immunized through public health, visit fraserhealth.ca/immunizations.
- For information on vaccines recommended for adults in BC, visit immunizebc.ca.
Education
If you have patients with HCV is it important to education them around risk factors, healthy lifestyle, transmission and prevention.
HealthLinkBC has detailed Hepatitis C Virus Infection information available in in multiple languages on their website at healthlinkbc.ca/healthlinkbc-files/hepatitis-c-virus-infection.
If you have questions or require support with HCV follow up, contact Fraser Health’s Sexual Health and Blood-borne Infections team at (604) 587-6788 or download a copy of our brochure available at patienteduc.fraserhealth.ca.
Additional resources:
- Canadian Liver Foundation – liver.ca.
- BCCDC Communicable Disease Manual: Hepatitis C Guideline – bccdc.ca/health-professionals/clinical-resources/communicable-disease-control-manual/communicable-disease-control.
- BCCDC Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Case Definitions – bccdc.ca/health-professionals/clinical-resources/case-definitions/hepatitis-c-infection-(hcv).