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Facts and Figures

Hepatitis C Is More Common than HIV.

It is estimated that about 4.1 million people in the United States are infected with hepatitis C, which is about 1.8% of the population.1 This makes hepatitis C much more common than HIV infection.2 Today about 3.2 million Americans have chronic hepatitis C infection, which means they cannot get rid of the virus on their own.3 The number of people at risk for chronic liver disease is expected to increase as much as four times by 2015.4 Each year, there are about 36,000 new cases of acute hepatitis C.5

Groups at Highest Risk for HCV.

Hepatitis C prevalence is highest among those with large or repeated exposures to blood such as intravenous (IV) drug users, hemophiliacs treated with clotting factor concentrates produced prior to 1987; and recipients of transfusions or organs, or both, from HCV-positive donors. Most (65%) HCV infections are transmitted by intravenous drug use. Studies of prison inmates, military veterans and homeless men have confirmed injection drug use as the most common risk factor for HCV infection. 5,6

Veterans are at higher risk for hepatitis C

Several studies suggest veterans have a higher prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection than nonveterans. In a study with randomly selected veterans, significant predictors of HCV infection included demographic factors, period of military service (for example, Vietnam era), prior diagnoses, health care use, and lifestyle factors. The prevalence of hepatitis C among the veterans in this survey exceeded the estimate from the general US population by more than twofold.7

If you are a veteran and think you might be at risk for hepatitis C, ask your doctor about being tested for hepatitis C. In some cases, the diagnosis can be related to military duty, and treatment may be covered by Veterans Administration benefits.

Hemophiliacs have higher risk factor

Hemophiliacs are at higher risk than the general population for all blood borne infections because they regularly receive blood transfusions and blood products such as clotting factor. However, in 1987, a process to inactivate viruses such as HCV was introduced. In addition, screening for hepatitis C antibodies began in US blood banks in 1990, and continued to improve throughout the decade, with nucleic acid amplification (NAT) screening instituted in 1999. Altogether, these measures dramatically decreased the probability of blood or blood products as a potential source of HCV infection. However, hemophiliacs who received a transfusion or factor concentrate before 1987 may be at higher risk.8,9

Homeless can be at risk for hepatitis C

Homeless people can be at risk for multiple health problems, including hepatitis C. It is suggested that this is because of the prevalence of certain behaviors among members of this population, such as injection drug use, and the sharing of equipment related to drug use. Studies have shown significantly higher rates of HCV infection among the homeless.6,10

Inmates are at risk for hepatitis C

The rate of hepatitis C infection is higher in the prison population than in the general population, with estimates ranging from 13% to 54%.11 This statistic is probably because injection drug use is very common among those who are in prison. And 70% to 80% of those currently in prison admit to having used illegal drugs.12

HIV and hepatitis C

About one quarter of people with HIV (the virus that causes AIDS), primarily those who acquired HIV through injection drug use or through a blood transfusion, are also infected with the hepatitis C virus.13 Because hepatitis C infection can become serious very quickly in HIV-positive people, they should be tested for HCV.

You can turn to The Be In Charge® Program for a vast amount of additional information and support as you manage your hepatitis C treatment. Sign up now for this tremendous support tool.

  1. Armstrong, G. L., Wasley, A., Simard, E.P., et al. The Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the United States, 1999 through 2002. Annals of Internal Medicine. 16 May, 2006. 144: 705-714. Available at: http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/144/10/705 Accessed January 14, 2009.
  2. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HIV/AIDS Basic Statistics. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm#aidscases. Accessed January 14, 2009.
  3. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis C: FAQs for Health Professionals. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/HCVfaq.htm#section1. Accessed January 9, 2009.
  4. Armstrong, GL, Alter, MJ, McQuillan, GM et al. The Past Incidence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Implications for the Future Burden of Chronic Liver Disease in the United States. Hepatology. March, 2000. 31(3): 777-782.
  5. Afdhal, N.H. The Natural History of Hepatitis C. Seminars in Liver Disease. 2004. 24 (2): 3-8.
  6. Stein, JA, Nyamathi, A. Correlates of Hepatitis C virus infection in homeless men: a latent variable approach. Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 15 July, 2004. 75 (1): 89-95.
  7. Dominitz JA, Boyko EJ, Koepsell TD et al. Elevated prevalence of hepatitis C infection in users of United States veterans medical centers. Hepatology. 2005 Jan; 41(1): 88-96.
  8. American Association of Blood Banks. Transfusion-Transmitted Diseases: Viruses. Available at: http://www.aabb.org/Content/About_Blood/Facts.... Accessed January 8, 2009.
  9. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC). Chronic Hepatitis C: Current Disease Management. Available at http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/chronichepc/. Accessed January 8, 2009.
  10. Nyamathi AM, Dixon EL, Robbins W et al. Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection among homeless adults. J Gen Intern Med. 2002 Feb; 17(2): 134-43.
  11. Cassidy W. Hepatitis C Infections in Prisons. HCV Advocate. 2003. Available at: http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hcsp/hcsp_pdf/cassidy-1.pdf.
    Accessed October 24, 2007.
  12. Hiller ML, Webster JM, Garrity TF. Prisoners with substance abuse and mental health problems: use of health and health services. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Feb, 2005. Available at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0978/is_1_31/ai_n13648103.
    Accessed October 24, 2007.
  13. CDC. Frequently asked questions and answers about coinfection with hepatitis C virus. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/HIV-HCV_Coinfection.htm.
    Accessed October 24, 2007.