Hepatitis C: The New Epidemic

Discovered in 1989, hepatitis C virus (HCV) has rapidly taken the forefront as a worldwide health issue. HCV has been labeled an instant epidemic, since it was spreading throughout various populations before identification. It is one of the most common causes of liver inflammation and a leading cause of liver transplantation. Approximately 4 million Americans have been infected with HCV, while 2.7 million have detectable virus in the blood (Bernstein, 2002). According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study, the greatest prevalence of HCV is seen in the age group 44-59 years, with African Americans having the highest rate at 6.1%. Of those infected, 85% will develop chronic, active infection leading to various levels of liver inflammation and damage (as cited in Berger, 2000).