SABEEN AATIF, RIIZWAN KHALIQ, AASHFA HASSAN SHAIKH,
ABU MOEM FAROOQU, LAEEQ AHMED

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) was known as "Non A, Non B" hepatitis before its discovery in 1989. It's a single stranded RNA virus (Hepacivirus) belonging to the family of Flaviviruses. At least six major genotype of the virus have been identified. Subtypes within the genotype of HCV have also been identified by nucleotide sequencing. Approximately 80% of all patients with acute Hepatitis C develop chronic hepatitis that in many cases progresses very slowly. Cirrhosis with a risk of hepatocellular carcinoma at a rate of 3-5% per year is the ultimate complication. In the USA, the prevalence of Anti-Hepatitis C virus antibody is found to be 1.6% corresponding to 3.8 million people. The prevalence is 2.1% in men and 1.1% in women. In our country sufficient data regarding the overall prevalence of the virus is not available but it is estimated that 5-8% and 7-10% people in the country are suffering from Hepatitis B and C respectively.

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