Viral
hepatitis is a major public health concern. It is associated with life threatening conditions including
liver cirrhosis and
hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatitis C virus infects around 71 million people annually, resultantly 700,000 deaths worldwide. Extrahepatic associated
chronic hepatitis C virus accounts for one fourth of total healthcare load. This review included a total of 150 studies that revealed almost 19 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus and 240,000 new cases are being reported each year. This trend is continually rising in developing countries like Pakistan where
intravenous drug abuse, street barbers, unsafe
blood transfusions, use of unsterilized
surgical instruments and recycled syringes plays a major role in virus transmission. Almost 123-180 million people are found to be hepatitis C virus infected or carrier that accounts for 2%-3% of world's population. The general symptoms of hepatitis C virus
infection include
fatigue,
jaundice, dark urine,
anorexia,
fever malaise,
nausea and
constipation varying on severity and chronicity of
infection. More than 90% of hepatitis C virus infected patients are treated with direct-acting
antiviral agents that prevent progression of
liver disease, decreasing the elevation of
hepatocellular carcinoma. Standardizing the healthcare techniques, minimizing the street practices, and screening for viral
hepatitis on mass levels for early diagnosis and prompt treatment may help in decreasing the burden on already fragmented healthcare system. However, more advanced studies on larger populations focusing on mode of transmission and treatment protocols are warranted to understand and minimize the overall
infection and death stigma among masses.