Question

Consider the following statement regarding Hepatitis disease:

1. Chronic infection of Hepatitis C Virus may cause Liver Cirrhosis.

2. Hepatitis C Virus infections are usually asymptomatic.

3.Hepatitis C is not spread through breast milk, food, water, or casual contact.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 1 and 3 only
3. 1, 2 and 3
4. 2 and 3 only

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : 1, 2 and 3

The correct answer is 1, 2 and 3.

• Hepatitis:
  • It is the swelling & inflammation of the liver.
  • It is of the following types:
    • Hepatitis - A: It is the inflammation of the liver from the Hepatitis-A virus.
    • Hepatitis - B: It causes irritation & swelling in the liver due to the infection of the Hepatitis - B virus (HBV).
    • Hepatitis - C: Its chronic infection may lead to liver cirrhosis.
      • Hence, statement 1 is correct.​
• Hepatitis-C (HCV):
  • It is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV).
  • HCV can cause both acute & chronic hepatitis.
  • Its effect ranges from mild illness to lifelong illness.
  • HCV is a major cause of liver cancer.
  • It is a bloodborne virus.
  • Its infection is usually (85-90%) asymptomatic.
    • Hence, statement 2 is correct.
  • Common modes of infection are the following: 
    • Exposure to small quantities of the blood of an infected person.
    • Unsafe injection practices.
    • Unsafe health care.
    • Transfusion of unscreened blood & blood products.
    • Sexual practices leading to exposure to blood.
• Hepatitis C is not spread through breast milk, food, water, or casual contact such as hugging, kissing & sharing food or drinks with an infected person. 
  • Hence, statement 3 is correct.

Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 2020	For the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus	Michael Houghton
		Charles M. Rice
		Harvey J. Alter