Acute hepatitis C

Description

Acute liver injury and inflammation caused by recent and short-term (less than 6 months) infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Transmission is by blood and body fluid contamination (parenteral spread) in most cases, and rarely by sexual spread or from mother to baby at the time of birth (vertical transmission). Diagnosis is confirmed by presence of recent acquisition of anti-HCV with presence of HCV RNA in serum. Clinical features occur in a minority of cases and are characterised by anorexia, nausea and fever, rarely with jaundice. A high proportion of cases (>70%) develop chronic HCV infection, with liver disease of varying severity.

Exclusions from above levels

• 1E51 – Chronic viral hepatitis
• DB90 – Infectious liver disease
• DB91 – Acute or subacute hepatic failure