Hepatitis C and mental illness

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			Hepatitis C and mental illness
			
					Introduction
				
					Section 1: Hepatitis
				
					Section 2: Injecting drug use and Hepatitis C: the risk factors
				
					Section 3: Diagnosis and testing
				
					Section 4: Treatment issues
				
					Section 5: Neuropsychiatric symptoms and treatment
				
					Summary
				
					Appendix: transcripts

Hepatitis C and mental illness

by Dr V. R. Badrakalimuthu and Dr D. Rumball

Hepatitis C and mental illness It is estimated that around 185,000 individuals in the UK are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) (Health Protection Agency, 2009).

The prevalence among intravenous drug users varies between 53% and 96%. In patients enrolled in methadone maintenance programmes, it has a prevalence of between 67% and 96% (Novick, 2008).

The high rate of co-occurring substance misuse disorders and severe mental illness coupled with HCV infection requires psychiatrists to be aware of the important and complex issues involved in their management.

The aim of this module is to explore the relationship between hepatitis C and mental health and to offer guidance on management. This is particularly applicable to substance misuse and liaison psychiatrists as they deal with the complex areas of hepatitis C, substance misuse and the effects on physical and mental health.

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Psychiatric aspects of HIV by Dr Geoffrey Lloyd and Dr Russell Foster

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