HEPATITIS-C - A CLINICAL UPDATE

Hepatitis C virus is now known to be the causative agent for at least 90% of non-A, non-B hepatitis cases. In the few years since its charac terization, much has been learned about this virus and the scope of it s disease. It now appears that close to 100% of infections may become chronic, with delayed but potentially devastating consequences. The tr eatment options for hepatitis C remain limited and less than satisfact ory. A vaccine seems to be a distant goal, but other strategies for tr eatment may be closer. For now, the best option remains prevention.