Why Is Hepatitis C A Major Health Concern?

What Should You Know About Hepatitis C? - DoctorOnCall

A Global Health Concern 

Viruses are perhaps one of the most feared organisms in a public health context. Its transmission and rate of spread are much more advanced than other kinds of diseases. Amongst the many viruses that threaten global health and public safety, the group of viruses that cause viral hepatitis are a major cause of concern. 

Viral hepatitis has evolved as a serious public health issue that affects hundreds of millions of people throughout the world. Both acute infection and chronic complications of viral hepatitis cause significant illness and fatality. 

Viral Hepatitis 

There are 5 types of viral hepatitis, with hepatitis A, B and C being the most common ones. Hepatitis B and C can lead to serious, life-threatening infections. Unlike hepatitis A and B, to date, there is no effective vaccine against hepatitis C. 

Just like other types of viral hepatitis, hepatitis C also causes inflammation of the liver. When the liver is inflamed, it releases a series of chemicals that results in damage to the organ, and in around 75% of the cases, infection with hepatitis C proceeds to become chronic, and can even last for a lifetime. 

Hepatitis C is transmitted through contact with infected blood. Even if it enters the body in microscopic amounts it is enough to trigger an infection. Nearly half of those infected with hepatitis C are unaware of their condition which is one of the reasons many only found out at the later stage. It is a leading cause of liver cancer and liver transplantation. 

Prevalence and Treatment of Hepatitis C 

An estimated 58 million individuals worldwide are infected with the chronic hepatitis C virus, with 1.5 million new infections occurring every year. According to the World Health Organization, over 290 000 individuals died with hepatitis C in 2019, the majority of them died from liver cirrhosis and primary liver cancer caused by the virus. 

While there is no vaccine for it, hepatitis C is treatable, with oral antiviral tablets that are taken over the course of a few months. These medications are highly effective in almost 90% of hepatitis C patients.


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Written By Fairooz Sadique, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences, International Medical University (IMU) on

Reviewed By DoctorOnCall Panel Doctor

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