A major public health problem in the United States and worldwide, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of death from liver disease and the principal indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Approximately 3.2 million persons are infected with HCV, making it the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the US. Infection is most prevalent among baby boomers—those born from 1945 to 1965—the majority of whom were likely infected during the 1970s and 1980s when rates of infection were highest. Hepatitis C progresses slowly and usually is asymptomatic until the advanced stage, so chronic hepatitis C is under recognized, especially in the outpatient setting.
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Clinical Practice, Healing Hands Newsletter, Hepatitis, Infectious Disease