A recently published report in the Journal of Medical Virology on the epidemiological features of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by Seong et al1 has provided interesting and important data regarding the transmission factors of HCV in South Korea. From this study, intravenous drug usage, as in the USA, was the most significant risk factor. Additionally, old age, previous needlestick injury, blood transfusion and past experience of receiving a tattoo were found to be independent risk factors. However, other invasive interventions such as acupuncture, endoscopic procedures and dental treatments, which were also explored as they have a theoretical relationship, were found to be irrelevant to HCV infection in South Korea.
As an acupuncture practitioner and researcher, we welcome the results of this study as it clears suspicion related to acupuncture treatment. Disputes over acupuncture have been ongoing since the early 1990s,2 but there has been no convincing evidence… Click here to read original article content.
Article Courtesy of Acupuncture in Medicine Tae-Hun Kim, Myeong Soo Lee
