What Works for Women and Girls

PCR tests are used to detect hepatitis C but the disease is diagnosed when positive antibodytest results are confirmed by HCV RNA (viral load) testing. PCR tests require high-qualitylaboratory facilities and trained technicians. Where PCR tests are not available, TMA testsmay be used (Hoover, 2009). Liver biopsies may be used to assess liver damage but they areexpensive, can be painful, and there is a risk for complications which, on rare occasions, canbe life-threatening. Recent advances in technology for non-invasive testing include FibroScan,which uses sound waves to assess liver damage.Much more research is needed regarding women, specifically, and hepatitis and HIVco-infection. For more in-depth coverage of hepatitis infections, please refer to TreatmentAction Group (Swan and Raymond, 2004) at http://www.treatmentactiongroup.org/publication.aspx?id=3306&terms=hepatitis+c+hiv.Gaps in Programming—Hepatitis1. More effective diagnostics, treatment and treatment literacy programs are needed forhepatitis C.1. More effective diagnostics, treatment and treatment literacy programs are needed forhepatitis C.Gap noted generally (Swan and Raymond, 2004: 340 and Hoover, 2009).286 CHAPTER 10 PREVENTING, DETECTING AND TREATING CRITICAL CO-INFECTIONS