What is the USPSTF recommended age range for hepatitis C virus screening?

What is the USPSTF recommended age range for hepatitis C virus screening?

• A. Adults aged 18 to 79 years.
• B. All adults regardless of age.
• C. Children under 18.
• D. Adults over 80.

Answer: (A)

The main idea being tested is who USPSTF wants screened for hepatitis C as a routine, population-based effort. The recommended approach is one-time hepatitis C screening for adults aged 18 to 79 years, regardless of known risk factors. This age window reflects where screening has the strongest balance of benefits and resources, making it the standard universal target. People older than 80 are not included in this universal recommendation, and screening children under 18 isn’t part of the general adult-based guideline (though high-risk pediatric cases may be considered separately). There is also a separate pregnancy-related recommendation to screen during pregnancy, which operates outside the 18–79 age framework. So, the correct answer is adults 18 to 79 years.

The main idea being tested is who USPSTF wants screened for hepatitis C as a routine, population-based effort. The recommended approach is one-time hepatitis C screening for adults aged 18 to 79 years, regardless of known risk factors. This age window reflects where screening has the strongest balance of benefits and resources, making it the standard universal target. People older than 80 are not included in this universal recommendation, and screening children under 18 isn’t part of the general adult-based guideline (though high-risk pediatric cases may be considered separately). There is also a separate pregnancy-related recommendation to screen during pregnancy, which operates outside the 18–79 age framework. So, the correct answer is adults 18 to 79 years.