Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C
Facts & Figures
Hepatitis B (HBV)
Facts & Figures
| • | An estimated 1.25 million people are chronically infected with HBV in the U.S., with 20 to 30% acquiring their infection in childhood (CDC) | |
| • | Approximately 78,000 new HBV infections occur every year (CDC) | |
| • | 15-25% of chronically infected persons will die from liver disease | |
| • | Chronic HBV infection occurs in: | |
| – | 90% of infants infected at birth | |
| – | 30% of children infected at age 1-5 years | |
| – | 6% of persons infected after age 5 years | |
| • | Highest rate of disease occurs in 20-49 year-olds | |
| • | 30% of infected individuals are asymptomatic - symptoms are less common in children than adults (CDC) | |
| • | Concurrent chronic HBV/HCV infection appears to increase the risk of progressive liver disease (NIH consensus statement) | |
HBV Risk Groups
| • | At risk sexual behavior | |
| – | Multiple sex partners | |
| – | Men sex with men | |
| • | Individuals diagnosed with an STD | |
| • | Intravenous drug users | |
| • | Hemodialysis patients | |
| • | Individuals living with chronically infected persons | |
| • | Infants born to infected mothers | |
| • | Healthcare workers | |
In developed countries like the U.S., HBV infection is prevalent in immigrant populations from endemic areas such as:
| • | Asia |
| • | South Pacific region |
| • | Sub-Saharan Africa |
| • | Australia |
| • | New Zealand |
| • | Populations in South America |
| • | Middle East |
| • | Certain indigenous arctic populations |
Facts & Figures
| • | An estimated 3.9 million people have been infected in the U.S. with HCV |
| • | Approximately 36,000 new HCV infections occur every year (CDC) |
| • | HCV is the most common chronic blood borne infection in the U.S. (CDC) |
| • | 10,000 to 12,000 deaths yearly are attributed to HCV in the U.S. (NIH Consensus Statement) |
| • | 30 to 40% of chronically infected persons are asymptomatic and have normal ALT levels (CDC) |
| • | A four-fold increase in the number of adults diagnosed with HCV is projected from 1990 to 2015 (NIH consensus statement) |
| • | 60 to 85% of HCV infected individuals develop chronic infection (NIH Consensus Statement) |
| • | HCV is the primary reason for liver transplantation in the U.S. (NIH Consensus Statement) |
| • | HCV is the leading cause of death in HIV/HCV co-infected patients |
HCV Risk Groups
| • | Intravenous drug users |
| • | Individuals infected with HIV or HBV |
| • | Recipients of clotting factors made before 1987 |
| • | Hemodialysis patients |
| • | Recipients of blood and/or solid organs before 1992 |
| • | People with undiagnosed liver problems |
| • | Infants born to infected mothers |