DR.T.V.RAO MD 1
Dr.T.V.Rao MD
HEPATITIS CINFECTION
FACTS, DIAGNOSIS, AND
INTERPRETATION
• “Hepatitis” means
inflammation of the liver
• Can be caused by:
• Genetic diseases
• Medications (including over-
the-counter)
• Alcohol
• Hepatitis viruses
(A,B,C,D,E)
WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
DR.T.V.RAO MD 3
HEPATITIS C
• Identified in 1989
• Blood test became
available in 1992
• Used to be known as “non-
A, non-B” hepatitis
• Spread through blood-to-
blood contact
• No vaccine available
to prevent hepatitis C
DR.T.V.RAO MD 4
STRUCTURE OF HEPATITIS C
DR.T.V.RAO MD 5
• About 3 million
Americans infected
• About 170 million
infected worldwide
• Many do not
experience
symptoms
HEPATITIS C-
A GLOBAL INFECTION
DR.T.V.RAO MD
6
SOURCES OF INFECTION FOR
PERSONS WITH HEPATITIS C
Sexual 15%
Other* 5%
Unknown 10%
Injecting drug use 60%
Transfusion 10%
(before screening)
*Nosocomial; Health-care work; Perinatal
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
DR.T.V.RAO MD 7
• Hepatitis C is a contagious
liver disease that results
from infection with the
Hepatitis C virus. It can
range in severity from a
mild illness lasting a few
weeks to a serious, lifelong
illness. Hepatitis C is
usually spread when blood
from a person infected with
the Hepatitis C virus enters
the body of someone
who is not infected
WHAT IS HEPATITIS C INFECTION
DR.T.V.RAO MD 8
HEPATITIS C - EPIDEMIOLOGY
Before 1985 1999
Illegal Drug Use
Transfusion
Sexual
Other
Unknown
DR.T.V.RAO MD
9
HEPATITIS C INFECTION -
NATURAL HISTORY
Resolve
15%
Stable
80%
Stable
75%
Mortality
25%
Cirrhosis
20%
Chronic infection
85%
Acute infection
DR.T.V.RAO MD
10
DR.T.V.RAO MD 11
WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE
WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS?
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
Infected With Hepatitis C
100
··········
·····
15
No Chronic Disease
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
··········
·····
Chronic Disease
85
··········
·······
Cirrhosis
17
··
2
Liver Cancer
DR.T.V.RAO MD 12
• Increased alcohol
intake
• Age > 40 years at
time of infection
• HIV co-infection ?
Other
• Male gender
• Other co-
infections (e.g.,
HBV)
CHRONIC HEPATITIS C
FACTORS PROMOTING PROGRESSION OR
SEVERITY
DR.T.V.RAO MD 13
ALCOHOL MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR
FOR PROGRESS OF DISEASE
Drinker Without Hepatitis C
Drinker With Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C Non-Drinker
Chance Of Getting
Cirrhosis
Non-Drinker
DR.T.V.RAO MD 14
• Hepatitis C can be either “acute”
or “chronic.” Acute Hepatitis C
virus infection is a short-term
illness that occurs within the first
6 months after someone is
exposed to the Hepatitis C virus.
For most people, acute infection
leads to chronic infection.
Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious
disease than can result in long-
term health problems, or even
death.
HEPATITIS C CAN PRESENT AS ACUTE OR
CHRONIC INFECTION
DR.T.V.RAO MD 15
TRANSMISSION / EXPOSURE
• Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person infected with the
Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not
infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis
C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs.
Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply
began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly
spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants.
• People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during
such activities as Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment
to inject drugs Needle stick injuries in health care settings
• Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C
DR.T.V.RAO MD 16
• Less commonly, a person
can also get Hepatitis C
virus infection through
Sharing personal care
items that may have come
in contact with another
person’s blood, such as
razors or toothbrushes
• Having sexual contact with
a person infected with the
Hepatitis C virus
LESS COMMONLY TRANSMITTED
THROUGH …
DR.T.V.RAO MD 17
WHO SHOULD BE TESTED FOR
HEPATITIS C?
• People with risk factors for hepatitis C
• Those who wish to be tested
DR.T.V.RAO MD 18
WHO SHOULD GET TESTED FOR HEPATITIS C?
• You are a current or former injection drug user, even if you injected
only one time or many years ago.
• You were treated for a blood clotting problem before 1987.
• You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July
1992.
• You are on long-term hemodialysis treatment.
• You have abnormal liver tests or liver disease.
• You work in health care or public safety and were exposed to blood
through a needle stick or other sharp object injury.
• You are infected with HIV.
DR.T.V.RAO MD 19
HCV TESTING ROUTINELY
RECOMMENDED
• Ever injected illegal drugs
• Received clotting factors made before 1987
• Received blood/organs before July 1992
• Ever on chronic hemodialysis
• Evidence of liver disease
• Healthcare, emergency, public safety workers after
needle stick/mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood
• Children born to HCV-positive women
Based on increased risk for infection
DR.T.V.RAO MD 20
• Health-care, emergency
medical, and public
safety workers
• Pregnant women
• Household (non-sexual)
contacts of HCV-
positive persons
• General population
ROUTINE HCV TESTING NOT RECOMMENDED
(UNLESS RISK FACTOR IDENTIFIED)
DR.T.V.RAO MD 21
HCV INFECTION TESTING ALGORITHM
FOR DIAGNOSIS OF ASYMPTOMATIC PERSONS
EIA for Anti-HCV
Negative
(non-reactive)
STOP
Positive (repeat reactive)
OR
RIBA for Anti-HCV RT-PCR for HCV RNA
Negative
STOP
Additional Laboratory
Evaluation (e.g. PCR, ALT)
Negative Positive
Indeterminate
Medical
Evaluation
Positive
Negative PCR,
Normal ALT
Positive PCR,
Abnormal ALT
Source: MMWR 1998;47 (No. RR 19)
DR.T.V.RAO MD 22
• Blood testing
1. Hepatitis C
antibody test
2. Hepatitis C PCR
test to find virus in
blood
• Liver function tests
HOW IS HEPATITIS C
DIAGNOSED?
DR.T.V.RAO MD 23
LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS
• Serologic tests to detect HCV antibodies:
- enzyme immunoassay (EIA). False negative in pts on HD,
immunodeficiency; false positive in autoimmune disorder.
-
recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA)
• Target amplification technique to detect HCV RNA (molecular assay)
-
polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A positive test confirms HCV
infection.
DR.T.V.RAO MD 24
• Currently, the second-
generation enzyme
immunoassay (EIA-2) for
antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV)
is the most practical screening
test for HCV infection. The
diagnosis of HCV infection can
be supported or confirmed by the
recombinant immunoblots assay
(RIBA) or tests for HCV RNA.
RIBA detects antibodies to
individual HCV antigens and
confers increased specificity
compared to EIA-2.
CURRENTLY PERFORMED TESTES FOR
HEPATITIS C INFECTION
DR.T.V.RAO MD 25
• Qualitative reverse
transcription-
polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR)
assays for HCV RNA
are simpler than
quantitative tests and
sufficient for
confirmation of the
diagnosis of HCV
infection.
MOLECULAR METHODS IN DIAGNOSIS OF
HEPATITIS C INFECTION
DR.T.V.RAO MD 26
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE
• Serum ALT testing is inexpensive and noninvasive.
• Insensitive means of monitoring disease activity.
• A single determination gives limited information, and serial
measurements recommended.
• Weak association between the degree of ALT elevation and
severity of histopathological findings on liver biopsy.
• Resolution of ALT elevation with antiviral therapy appears
to indicate disease response.
DR.T.V.RAO MD 27
Serologic Pattern of Acute HCV Infection
with Recovery
Symptoms +/-
Time after Exposure
Titer anti-HCV
ALT
Normal
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4
Years
Months
HCV RNA
DR.T.V.RAO MD 28
Serologic Pattern of Acute HCV Infection with
Progression to Chronic Infection
Symptoms +/-
Time after Exposure
Titer anti-HCV
ALT
Normal
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4
Years
Months
HCV RNA
DR.T.V.RAO MD 29
• Provides useful information
about the degree of fibrosis in
HCV infected patients. This
information is important in
management decisions.
• Is not used for diagnosis of HCV
infection.
• Used for assessment of severity
of inflammation, presence of
fibrosis, evaluate possible
concomitant disease processes,
assess therapeutic intervention.
LIVER BIOPSY
DR.T.V.RAO MD 30
• Activity (necro-inflammation) –
severity and progress. May
fluctuate with disease activity or
therapeutic intervention.
• Fibrosis implies possible
progression to cirrhosis. In mild
cases, is limited to portal and
periportal area. More advanced
changes defined by ‘bridging
fibrosis’.
• Cirrhosis
LIVER HISTOLOGY
DR.T.V.RAO MD 31
• In summary, the diagnostic
algorithm of Hepatitis C
depends on the clinical
context. In asymptomatic,
low-risk subjects, who are
found to be anti-HCV-
positive by EIA-2, the
diagnosis of HCV infection
needs to be confirmed,
especially if the initial
biochemical tests reveal
normal ALT levels.
DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT OF INFECTED
PATIENTS
DR.T.V.RAO MD 32
• There is no vaccine
for Hepatitis C. The
best way to prevent
Hepatitis C is by
avoiding behaviors
that can spread the
disease, especially
injection drug use.
CAN WE PREVENT HEPATITIS C INFECTION
DR.T.V.RAO MD 33
REFERENCES
• Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Atlanta USA, guidelines on
basis of disease Diagnosis, and consequences of Hepatitis C
Infection
DR.T.V.RAO MD 34
• Created by Dr.T.V.Rao MD for Medical and
Health Care workers in the Developing world
• Email
• doctortvrao@gmail.com

339461_ facts diagnosis and interpretation.pptx

  • 1.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 1 Dr.T.V.RaoMD HEPATITIS CINFECTION FACTS, DIAGNOSIS, AND INTERPRETATION
  • 2.
    • “Hepatitis” means inflammationof the liver • Can be caused by: • Genetic diseases • Medications (including over- the-counter) • Alcohol • Hepatitis viruses (A,B,C,D,E) WHAT IS HEPATITIS?
  • 3.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 3 HEPATITISC • Identified in 1989 • Blood test became available in 1992 • Used to be known as “non- A, non-B” hepatitis • Spread through blood-to- blood contact • No vaccine available to prevent hepatitis C
  • 4.
  • 5.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 5 •About 3 million Americans infected • About 170 million infected worldwide • Many do not experience symptoms HEPATITIS C- A GLOBAL INFECTION
  • 6.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 6 SOURCES OFINFECTION FOR PERSONS WITH HEPATITIS C Sexual 15% Other* 5% Unknown 10% Injecting drug use 60% Transfusion 10% (before screening) *Nosocomial; Health-care work; Perinatal Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • 7.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 7 •Hepatitis C is a contagious liver disease that results from infection with the Hepatitis C virus. It can range in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Hepatitis C is usually spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected WHAT IS HEPATITIS C INFECTION
  • 8.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 8 HEPATITISC - EPIDEMIOLOGY Before 1985 1999 Illegal Drug Use Transfusion Sexual Other Unknown
  • 9.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 9 HEPATITIS CINFECTION - NATURAL HISTORY Resolve 15% Stable 80% Stable 75% Mortality 25% Cirrhosis 20% Chronic infection 85% Acute infection
  • 10.
  • 11.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 11 WHATHAPPENS TO PEOPLE WITH HEPATITIS C VIRUS? ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· Infected With Hepatitis C 100 ·········· ····· 15 No Chronic Disease ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ·········· ····· Chronic Disease 85 ·········· ······· Cirrhosis 17 ·· 2 Liver Cancer
  • 12.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 12 •Increased alcohol intake • Age > 40 years at time of infection • HIV co-infection ? Other • Male gender • Other co- infections (e.g., HBV) CHRONIC HEPATITIS C FACTORS PROMOTING PROGRESSION OR SEVERITY
  • 13.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 13 ALCOHOLMAJOR CONTRIBUTOR FOR PROGRESS OF DISEASE Drinker Without Hepatitis C Drinker With Hepatitis C Hepatitis C Non-Drinker Chance Of Getting Cirrhosis Non-Drinker
  • 14.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 14 •Hepatitis C can be either “acute” or “chronic.” Acute Hepatitis C virus infection is a short-term illness that occurs within the first 6 months after someone is exposed to the Hepatitis C virus. For most people, acute infection leads to chronic infection. Chronic Hepatitis C is a serious disease than can result in long- term health problems, or even death. HEPATITIS C CAN PRESENT AS ACUTE OR CHRONIC INFECTION
  • 15.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 15 TRANSMISSION/ EXPOSURE • Hepatitis C is spread when blood from a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus enters the body of someone who is not infected. Today, most people become infected with the Hepatitis C virus by sharing needles or other equipment to inject drugs. Before 1992, when widespread screening of the blood supply began in the United States, Hepatitis C was also commonly spread through blood transfusions and organ transplants. • People can become infected with the Hepatitis C virus during such activities as Sharing needles, syringes, or other equipment to inject drugs Needle stick injuries in health care settings • Being born to a mother who has Hepatitis C
  • 16.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 16 •Less commonly, a person can also get Hepatitis C virus infection through Sharing personal care items that may have come in contact with another person’s blood, such as razors or toothbrushes • Having sexual contact with a person infected with the Hepatitis C virus LESS COMMONLY TRANSMITTED THROUGH …
  • 17.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 17 WHOSHOULD BE TESTED FOR HEPATITIS C? • People with risk factors for hepatitis C • Those who wish to be tested
  • 18.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 18 WHOSHOULD GET TESTED FOR HEPATITIS C? • You are a current or former injection drug user, even if you injected only one time or many years ago. • You were treated for a blood clotting problem before 1987. • You received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July 1992. • You are on long-term hemodialysis treatment. • You have abnormal liver tests or liver disease. • You work in health care or public safety and were exposed to blood through a needle stick or other sharp object injury. • You are infected with HIV.
  • 19.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 19 HCVTESTING ROUTINELY RECOMMENDED • Ever injected illegal drugs • Received clotting factors made before 1987 • Received blood/organs before July 1992 • Ever on chronic hemodialysis • Evidence of liver disease • Healthcare, emergency, public safety workers after needle stick/mucosal exposures to HCV-positive blood • Children born to HCV-positive women Based on increased risk for infection
  • 20.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 20 •Health-care, emergency medical, and public safety workers • Pregnant women • Household (non-sexual) contacts of HCV- positive persons • General population ROUTINE HCV TESTING NOT RECOMMENDED (UNLESS RISK FACTOR IDENTIFIED)
  • 21.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 21 HCVINFECTION TESTING ALGORITHM FOR DIAGNOSIS OF ASYMPTOMATIC PERSONS EIA for Anti-HCV Negative (non-reactive) STOP Positive (repeat reactive) OR RIBA for Anti-HCV RT-PCR for HCV RNA Negative STOP Additional Laboratory Evaluation (e.g. PCR, ALT) Negative Positive Indeterminate Medical Evaluation Positive Negative PCR, Normal ALT Positive PCR, Abnormal ALT Source: MMWR 1998;47 (No. RR 19)
  • 22.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 22 •Blood testing 1. Hepatitis C antibody test 2. Hepatitis C PCR test to find virus in blood • Liver function tests HOW IS HEPATITIS C DIAGNOSED?
  • 23.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 23 LABORATORYDIAGNOSIS • Serologic tests to detect HCV antibodies: - enzyme immunoassay (EIA). False negative in pts on HD, immunodeficiency; false positive in autoimmune disorder. - recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) • Target amplification technique to detect HCV RNA (molecular assay) - polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A positive test confirms HCV infection.
  • 24.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 24 •Currently, the second- generation enzyme immunoassay (EIA-2) for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV) is the most practical screening test for HCV infection. The diagnosis of HCV infection can be supported or confirmed by the recombinant immunoblots assay (RIBA) or tests for HCV RNA. RIBA detects antibodies to individual HCV antigens and confers increased specificity compared to EIA-2. CURRENTLY PERFORMED TESTES FOR HEPATITIS C INFECTION
  • 25.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 25 •Qualitative reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for HCV RNA are simpler than quantitative tests and sufficient for confirmation of the diagnosis of HCV infection. MOLECULAR METHODS IN DIAGNOSIS OF HEPATITIS C INFECTION
  • 26.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 26 ALANINEAMINOTRANSFERASE • Serum ALT testing is inexpensive and noninvasive. • Insensitive means of monitoring disease activity. • A single determination gives limited information, and serial measurements recommended. • Weak association between the degree of ALT elevation and severity of histopathological findings on liver biopsy. • Resolution of ALT elevation with antiviral therapy appears to indicate disease response.
  • 27.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 27 SerologicPattern of Acute HCV Infection with Recovery Symptoms +/- Time after Exposure Titer anti-HCV ALT Normal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 Years Months HCV RNA
  • 28.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 28 SerologicPattern of Acute HCV Infection with Progression to Chronic Infection Symptoms +/- Time after Exposure Titer anti-HCV ALT Normal 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 Years Months HCV RNA
  • 29.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 29 •Provides useful information about the degree of fibrosis in HCV infected patients. This information is important in management decisions. • Is not used for diagnosis of HCV infection. • Used for assessment of severity of inflammation, presence of fibrosis, evaluate possible concomitant disease processes, assess therapeutic intervention. LIVER BIOPSY
  • 30.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 30 •Activity (necro-inflammation) – severity and progress. May fluctuate with disease activity or therapeutic intervention. • Fibrosis implies possible progression to cirrhosis. In mild cases, is limited to portal and periportal area. More advanced changes defined by ‘bridging fibrosis’. • Cirrhosis LIVER HISTOLOGY
  • 31.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 31 •In summary, the diagnostic algorithm of Hepatitis C depends on the clinical context. In asymptomatic, low-risk subjects, who are found to be anti-HCV- positive by EIA-2, the diagnosis of HCV infection needs to be confirmed, especially if the initial biochemical tests reveal normal ALT levels. DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENT OF INFECTED PATIENTS
  • 32.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 32 •There is no vaccine for Hepatitis C. The best way to prevent Hepatitis C is by avoiding behaviors that can spread the disease, especially injection drug use. CAN WE PREVENT HEPATITIS C INFECTION
  • 33.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 33 REFERENCES •Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Atlanta USA, guidelines on basis of disease Diagnosis, and consequences of Hepatitis C Infection
  • 34.
    DR.T.V.RAO MD 34 •Created by Dr.T.V.Rao MD for Medical and Health Care workers in the Developing world • Email • doctortvrao@gmail.com

Editor's Notes

  • #2 Many things can cause hepatitis. With hepatitis C you need to be careful not to do anything that will irritate your liver With hepatitis the liver enzymes are usually elevated and the liver can become enlarged
  • #3 Important to stress the fact that HCV does not always have symptoms. Can feel healthy for 10-20 or more years before developing symptoms. Patient can be asymptomatic but have hepatitis C. Symptoms are often very mild, but liver damage can occur without symptoms No vaccine is available for hepatitis C, but researchers are working hard. The virus mutates quickly making it difficult to make a vaccine.
  • #5 4 times more common than HIV Fewer people are transmitting HCV now compared to 20-30 years ago. About 30,000 more become infected each year
  • #9 Hepatitis C infection has major epidemic implications due to the natural history of the infection. Unlike Hepatitis B infections, where a small proportion of cases go on to chronic infection and thus, infectious states, the majority of Hepatitis C infections progress to chronic states. HCV viral loads do not correlate well with disease progression in the liver, however. Of those chronically infected, progression to liver disease (fibrosis) usually occurs in about 10 years, with progression to cirrhosis after about 20 years (hepatocellular carcinoma generally develops in a small percentage after about 30 years). REFERNCES Seeff LB. “Natural history of hepatitis C.” American Journal of Medicine 1999; 107(6B): 10S-15S. Tong MJ, El-Farra NS, Reikes AR, Co RL. “Clinical outcomes after transfusion-associated hepatitis C.” New England Journal of Medicine 1995; 332: 1463-1466.
  • #11 Chronic disease means that the person will carry the virus in their blood long-term. No chronic disease means that the person will not carry the virus in their blood long-term, but will still have the antibodies in their blood.
  • #13 To read the above graph in black and white: The first bullet ‘non-drinker’ corresponds to the smallest circle. As you go down the list of bullets the circles get bigger with ‘hepatitis C drinker’ being the largest circle. Alcohol is a direct poison to your liver. It prevents your body from absorbing certain vitamins that it needs to work properly. It can also make your hepatitis C medicine less effective. Alcohol damages your liver even when you are healthy. Drinking alcohol when you have hepatitis C make the damage much worse. 14. Department of Veteran Affairs, Hepatitis C Brochure Series, If You Have Hepatitis C Infection, http://www.va.gov/hepatitisC What about alcohol? How much is bad? 1-3 ounces? I’ve heard that a small amount of alcohol is good for you. At this time, we’re not sure. Is it okay to drink non-alcoholic wines? It’s not suggested. In the future when I clear the HCV can I drink alcohol? It depends on the amount of scarring in your liver. For more information refer to reference 15 at the end of the slide set
  • #22 The first test is the antibody test. It tells if the patient has ever been exposed to HCV. The PCR test is done after the Antibody test and determines if the HCV is present in the blood stream. Liver function tests, such as AST (SGOT) and ALT (SGPT) detect inflammation of the liver. When your liver is working well, the levels of these are low. When your liver is not working as well as it should, they can get much higher. However, liver function tests do not give a good idea of what’s really going on in the liver. 9. Department of Veteran Affairs, The Liver Brochure Series, What Is Your Liver, http://www.va.gov/hepatitisC Can you have a normal liver enzyme (e.g., ALT) level and still have chronic hepatitis C? Yes, it is common for persons with chronic hepatitis C to have a liver enzyme level that goes up and down, with periodic returns to normal or near normal. Some persons have a liver enzyme level that is normal for over a year but they still have chronic liver disease. If the liver enzyme level is normal, persons should have their enzyme level re-checked several times over a 6 to 12 month period. If the liver enzyme level remains normal, your doctor may check it less frequently, such as once a year. 1. CDC, Viral Hepatitis C, Frequently Asked Questions, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/c/faq.htm#7a