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Medical Emergencies · single question

Which statement about hepatitis C is NOT true?

  1. Hepatitis C does NOT have a carrier state
  2. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C
  3. It can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma
  4. It is transmitted parenterally (blood contact)
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Correct answer: A. Hepatitis C does NOT have a carrier state

  • A. Correct — this is the INCORRECT (NOT TRUE) statement. Hepatitis C DOES have a carrier state. Approximately 75-85% of people infected with HCV develop chronic infection and become carriers. This is different from the question premise — HCV does indeed have chronic carrier state.
  • B. There is currently no vaccine against hepatitis C — this is TRUE (unlike hepatitis B which has a vaccine).
  • C. HCV can progress to chronic infection → cirrhosis → hepatocellular carcinoma — this is TRUE.
  • D. Hepatitis C is transmitted through blood and body fluids (parenteral transmission) — this is TRUE.

Note: This question tests awareness that HCV DOES have a carrier state. The answer 'Hepatitis C does NOT have a carrier state' is the FALSE statement. The INBDE may frame this as 'which is NOT true about HCV' — and the answer is the one claiming no carrier state.

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