Quiz: Surprising Facts About Hepatitis C

The number of US deaths associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection rose from 11,000 in 2003 to more than 19,000 in 2013, according to the CDC. Those 19,000 deaths exceeded the number of deaths associated with 60 other “nationally notifiable infectious conditions combined”-including HIV infection.

More surprising facts about HCV can be found in this 5-question quiz.

1. According to the CDC, how many persons incarcerated in US jails and prisons have tested positive for HCV?A. 1 in 3
B. 1 in 4
C. 1 in 5
D. 1 in 6

The correct answer is A. 1 in 3

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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

The correct answer is D. Horses and dogs

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3. Which of the following populations is currently at highest risk for acquisition of HCV?A. Men who have sex with men
B. Current injection drug users
C. Recipients of blood and blood product transfusions prior to 1986
D. Female sex partners of HCV-infected men

The correct answer is B. Current injection drug users

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4. 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

The correct answer is C. Sexual contact

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5. 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

The correct answer is B. 1 to 2 weeks after exposure

For more information on all questions and answers, please see the following links to articles from the Patient Care SPECIAL REPORT: Hepatitis C and Primary Care:

Question 1
Hepatitis C Screening for High Risk Patients

Questions 2 - 4
Hepatitis C Report: Tuning in to a Silent Epidemic

Question 5
Hepatitis C Report: What Tests to Order