| More than 170 million people worldwide suffer from HCV infection. An estimated three to four million new infections are added annually. People working in invasive medical specialties, especially in dentistry, are at particular risk of being infected by needle sticks, cuts or contamination with secretions.
For decades, the therapy was limited to the administration of interferon alfa. This therapy was associated with a long list of side effects but a relatively low cure rate. Only a few years ago an interferon-free therapy with directly antiviral substances (DAA) is available.
This diploma thesis aims to provide an overview of the interferon-free therapy for chronic hepatitis C, including the historical development, as well as its importance for the dental practice.
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