A 49-year-old patient with a history of IV drug use 20 years ago presents to the clinic for an annual exam. Hepatitis C screening is ordered, and these results are obtained: HCV antibody reactive, HCV RNA detected. Which of the following is true regarding this patient?
a. The patient does not have HCV; periodic testing is recommended
b. The patient has latent HCV; careful watching is advised.
c. The patient has active HCV and may need a referral to a GI specialist or hepatologist.
d. The patient had HCV in the past but there is no evidence of current active infection