HCV Quiz: A Quick Numbers Game

There are thousands of facts and figures in the literature on the topic of hepatitis C virus infection. This is the first in a series of 3 short quizzes that will challenge you to sort through all you know about HCV.

In the questions that follow, identify 4 correct figures and 1 fact.

1. In the absence of treatment, what percentage of HCV-viremic patients progress to cirrhosis within 20 years of infection?A. 5% to 10%

B. 10% to 15%

C. 15% to 20%

D. 25% to 30%

Please click “next” for answer and next question

The correct answer is C. 15% to 20% (of HCV-veremic patients that progress to cirrhosis within 20 years of infection)

*****************************2. No HCV or HCV-like viruses have been found in nonhuman primates; however, nonprimate hepaciviruses have been discovered in:

A. Rats and mice

B. Dogs and cats

C. Pigs and ferrets

D. Horses and dogs

Please click “next” for answer and next question

The correct answer is D. Horses and dogs (nonprimate hepaciviruses have been discovered in these species)

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3. Which of the following was not a major cause of the global spread of HCV after World War II?A. Blood transfusions

B. Injection drug use

C. Sexual contact

D. Use of nonsterile medical equipment on multiple patients

Please click “next” for answer and next question

The correct answer is C. Sexual contact (was not a major cause for HCV spread after World War II)

*****************************4. How soon after exposure to HCV can HCV RNA can be detected in the blood using a nucleic acid test (NAT assay)?A. 5 to 7 days after exposure

B. 1 to 2 weeks after exposure

C. 2 to 3 weeks after exposure

D. 3 to 4 weeks after exposure

Please click “next” for answer and next question

The correct answer is B. 1 to 2 weeks after exposure (is the soonest HCV RNA can be detected using NAT assay)

*****************************5. What is the shortest duration of treatment that can be used to treat HCV while achieving >95% sustained virologic response rates?A. 6 weeks

B. 8 weeks

C. 12 weeks

D. 24 weeks

Please click “next” for answer.

The correct answer is B. 8 weeks (shortest duration of treatment that can be used to treat HCV while achieving >95% SVR)

Resources

CDC: Persons for Whom HCV Testing Is Recommended

Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education: Testing for Possible, Suspected, or Documented HCV Infection

HCV Epidemiology in the United States. Hepatitis C Online

CDC: Hepatits C FAQs for Health Professionals

HCV Guidance: Recommendations for Testing, Managing, and Treating Hepatitis C

Treatment of HCV Genotype 1. Hepatitis C Online.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Final Recommendation Statement Hepatitis C: Screening