PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Tom Wong AU - Samuel S. Lee TI - Hepatitis C: a review for primary care physicians AID - 10.1503/cmaj.1030034 DP - 2006 Feb 28 TA - Canadian Medical Association Journal PG - 649--659 VI - 174 IP - 5 4099 - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/5/649.short 4100 - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/174/5/649.full SO - CMAJ2006 Feb 28; 174 AB - Primary care physicians see many of the estimated 250 000 Canadians chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Of this number, about one-third are unaware they are infected, which constitutes a large hidden epidemic. They continue to spread HCV unknowingly and cannot benefit from advances in antiviral therapy that may clear them of the virus. Many HCV-infected people remain asymptomatic, which means it is important to assess for risk factors and test patients accordingly. The third-generation enzyme immunoassay for HCV antibodies is a sensitive and specific test, although the presence of the virus can be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing for HCV RNA in some circumstances. Pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin combination therapy clears the virus in about 45%–80% of patients, depending on viral genotype. Preventive strategies and counselling recommendations are also reviewed.