Hepatitis C: A Guide for Counselors and Outreach Workers
Sponsored by the Central East Addiction Technology Transfer Center
With funding from the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Designed for addiction counselors and outreach professionals, this 2-hour course provides an overview of the hepatitis C virus (HCV), including the function of the liver, HCV infection, risk factors for HCV infection, incidence and prevalence, signs and symptoms, natural history and progression, acute and chronic infection, health consequences, and co-infection. It examines such modes of transmission as drug use, tattooing and body piercing, transfusions and transplantations, sexual transmission, mother to infant transmission, and occupational transmission. It reviews various affected populations. It reviews diagnosis and testing, who should be tested, why individuals should be tested, and diagnostic tools. The course examines various treatment options, such as interferon treatment. Finally, the course examines a variety of prevention issues, such as HCV vaccines and prevention messages.