In the United States, the annual number of newly acquired mated total number of newly acquired acute HCV infections has ranged from a high of 180,000 in the mid 1980s to 28,000 acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections has declined from an estimated 180,000 in the mid 1980s to an estimated 28,000 in 1995 (Table 1). HCV infection affects persons of all ages, but most acute cases of hepatitis C, occur in young adults. in 1995. Approximately 25% to 30% of these infections are clinically apparent cases that are sufficiently symptomatic to The highest proportion of incident cases is among whites, but the highest incidence rates are among non-white racial/ gain medical attention. Deaths from fulminant hepatitis C are rare. The prevalence of antibody to HCV (anti-HCV) in the ethnic groups. 1 The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) general population of the United States is 1.8%, corresponding to an estimated 3.9 million Americans infected with HCV, (anti-HCV) in the general population of the United States is 1.8% as surveyed in the Third National Health and Nutrition and an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 deaths each year result from HCV-associated chronic liver disease. HCV infection Examination, a representative sample of the civilian non-institutionalized population conducted between 1988 to 1994. 5 affects persons of all ages, but most acute cases of hepatitis C and the highest prevalence of anti-HCV are found among This prevalence corresponds to an estimated 3.9 million HCV-infected Americans. The highest overall prevalence was young adults. The highest proportion both of incident cases and prevalent infections is among whites, but the highest found in persons 30 to 49 years old (3%-4%); among black men in this age group the prevalence was 9% to 10%. Al-incidence and prevalence rates are among non-white racial/ ethnic groups. In the past, transfusion of blood and blood though death from fulminant hepatitis C is rare, an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 deaths from HCV-associated chronic liver products was an important source of HCV transmission, but currently, high-risk drug and sexual exposures account for disease occur annually (Table 1) (CDC, unpublished data, May 1990). most HCV transmission. Although the incidence of acute hepatitis C has declined, there is a large reservoir of chronically
RISK FACTORS FOR ACQUIRING HCV INFECTION