Course Goals and Objectives

Course Goal

The goal of Diagnosing HCV is to define clinical strategies for the diagnosis of hepatitis C (HCV) and to support quality clinical practice of healthcare professionals.

When You Have Completed the Course You Should:

• Be able to discuss the various types of tests used to diagnose HCV

• Be able to describe antibody tests and what they mean

• Be able to discuss HCV viral load and how viral load tests are used

• Be able to discuss the different types of viral load tests

• Be able to describe the hepatitis C virus and its lifecycle

• Be able to define HCV genotypes and quasispecies

• Be able to describe HCV genotype tests and how they are used

• Be able to list the various biochemical/liver function tests

• Be able to explain the significance of ALT levels

• Be able to describe liver biopsies and how they are used

• Be able to describe the four histological stages of liver damage