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HEPATITIS C Facts
Hepatitis C (HepC or HCV) is a viral infection which causes inflammation in the liver. Hepatitis C was identified in 1988. Before 1988, this type of hepatitis was called non-A, non-B hepatitis, meaning that it was not caused by the viruses that produce hepatitis A or hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C is a bloodborne infection, and may result from exposure to blood or body fluids that contain the hepatitis C virus. Approximately 3.9 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C. Currently, hepatitis C is responsible for an estimated 8,000-10,000 deaths annually from chronic liver disease. Without effective intervention, that number is believed to triple in the next 10-20 years. Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplant and the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. Comparatively, hepatitis C is five times more prevalent than HIV.
The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C in the United States is highly variable by groups known to be at greater risk for infection. According to the National Institute of Health, the highest rates are found among injection drug users and hemophilia patients (60%-90%); moderate rates among hemodialysis patients (20%); and lower rates among persons with numerous sexual partners (>50) or household exposure to persons with chronic hepatitis C infection (1%-10%). The lowest rates of hepatitis C are found among volunteer blood donors (less than 0.5%). Hepatitis C infection affects persons of all ages, but most acute cases and the highest seroprevalence are found among middle-age adults.
Few people are able to clear the virus from their blood, which is necessary to be completely recovered. Over 70% of the cases reported each year become chronic, which means liver enzyme levels remain elevated for at least six months after the initial acute infection. The enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are released when liver cells are injured or die. Elevated ALT and AST levels may appear and disappear throughout the course of the infection.
The majority of people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus don't even know because of the silent nature (absence of symptoms) of the disease. Some people may even harbor this virus for 20+ years before they discover that they have it. The hepatitis C virus can and does damage the liver. This damage may be minimal or very serious.
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Additional Information
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