Going where the epidemic is. Epidemiology and control of hepatitis C among injecting drug users.

BACKGROUND

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is continuing to spread among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Australia; other forms of transmission are uncommon or rare. Control of the epidemic of this potentially serious viral infection will only be achieved when transmission among IDUs is addressed.

OBJECTIVE

To briefly review current knowledge about transmission and impact of HCV, so as to provide an informed basis for patient counselling.

DISCUSSION: As better understanding develops about the transmission of HCV and the diseases it causes, and as treatments for chronic HCV infection and knowledge of how to target these treatments improve, our ability to tackle this epidemic, both at personal and public health levels, increases. However, the mainstay of treatment will continue to be fully informed counselling, and we urgently need expansion of current harm reduction programs to stop continued transmission among IDUs.