HCV
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Hepatitis C virus |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Medical, Government & Politics |
HCV has two meanings. It stands for Hepatitis C virus (infectious disease) or Housing Choice Voucher (public program).
Meanings of HCV at a glance
| # | HCV stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hepatitis C virus | Medical › Infectious Disease |
| 2 | Housing Choice Voucher | Government & Politics › Public Program |
1. Hepatitis C virus
Medical · Infectious Disease Abbreviations
Bloodborne RNA virus that causes chronic hepatitis in most people infected, often silently for decades, leading to cirrhosis and liver cancer. Injection drug use is now the main route of spread in the US; direct-acting antivirals cure more than 95 percent of patients in 8–12 weeks.
Example: HCV antibody reactive, RNA 1.2 million IU/mL; start sofosbuvir/velpatasvir for 12 weeks.
The virus was identified in 1989, and Harvey Alter, Michael Houghton and Charles Rice received the 2020 Nobel Prize for its discovery. Before that it was called "non-A, non-B hepatitis". The CDC recommends one-time screening for all adults and testing during every pregnancy. There is no vaccine, and cure does not prevent reinfection.
2. Housing Choice Voucher
Government & Politics · Public Program Abbreviations
HUD rental assistance program, commonly called Section 8, that helps low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities rent private housing. Tenants generally pay about 30 percent of adjusted income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to a local limit.
Example: After six years on the waiting list, she finally received an HCV and found an apartment.
The program grew out of Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937, as amended in 1974; the certificate and voucher programs were merged into the Housing Choice Voucher program in 1999. It serves more than 2 million households, but funding covers only about one in four eligible families. Some states ban landlords from refusing tenants because they use vouchers.
Related abbreviations
More infectious disease abbreviations
- HAP – Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- HAV – Hepatitis A virus
- HBsAg – Hepatitis B surface antigen
- HBV – Hepatitis B virus
- HIV – Human immunodeficiency virus
- hMPV – Human metapneumovirus
- HPV – Human papillomavirus
- HSV – Herpes simplex virus
See all 92 infectious disease abbreviations →
More public program abbreviations
- FRA – Full retirement age
- FWS – Federal Work-Study
- H-1B – H-1B specialty occupation visa
- HCBS – Home and community-based services
- IDR – Income-driven repayment
- LIHEAP – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
- LIHTC – Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
- LPR – Lawful permanent resident
See all 65 public program abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.