The Prevalence of Hepatitis C
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The prevalence of Hepatitis C has increased dramatically over the years. There are now over 250,000 new cases diagnosed per year. The cost of the disease has grown exponentially, and the life expectancy is shortened due to hepatitis C. But what are some of the key statistics that give a glimpse into how this disease affects American society? Hepatitis C is on the rise, but it doesn’t have to be if we start addressing it as a public health issue. Many people don’t know they have it until they feel its effects; however, because treatment is so inexpensive compared to Hepatitis B and C, more people can be treated for Hepatitis C than any other virus each year in America.
The prevalence of Hepatitis C was below 400,000 cases in North America and Europe just ten years ago. But the number of people infected with Hepatitis C has increased dramatically over the last decade. There are now over 250,000 new cases diagnosed per year, and the disease affects a population of 3 million Americans alone (WHO, 2021). The cost of the disease has increased exponentially, and life expectancy is shortened due to Hepatitis C. So why is this virus rising at such a rapid rate?
There’s no definitive answer, but one could speculate that it’s because many people aren’t aware they have it until they feel its effects. It’s believed that 75% of the people in the U.S. who are infected with Hepatitis C don’t know they have it (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021). The kicker is that most cases could be cured if diagnosed early because the cost of treatment is so inexpensive compared to Hepatitis B and C. Most people don’t know they have it; there’s no reason for them to get tested and find out. And if they do find out that they have it, then the stigma associated with Hepatitis C prevents them from seeking treatment that could cure their disease.
Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus, a liver infection. The severity of Hepatitis C can range from a minor illness to a dangerous, long-term disease. The virus can cause both chronic and acute hepatitis, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe and potentially fatal, such as liver cirrhosis and cancer. Because of the potential for dangerous and life-threatening health complications, many people ignore this disease (WHO, 2021).
The pathophysiology of Hepatitis C is poorly understood. However, it has been shown that viral proteins pass from mother to fetus through the placenta during pregnancy, potentially infecting a newborn infant at birth. Because there have been no tests developed yet to screen pregnant women or pre-conception, several infected children are born in America every year. Certain family members of those infected will be at an increased risk if they require blood or blood products (Lazarus et al., 2020).
Most chronic hepatitis C patients have no signs or have nonspecific symptoms such as persistent weariness and sadness. Chronic liver disease affects a huge population and includes liver cancer and cirrhosis (liver scarring). Chronic liver disease in hepatitis C patients usually develops gradually over several years, with no evident signs or symptoms (Lazarus et al., 2020).
In the United States, about 4% of chronic cases result in cirrhosis, living with scarring damage to the liver. Cirrhosis is a severe and irreversible condition that causes scarring, liver cell damage and fibrosis. As scarring progresses, it can lead to an early death. Approximately 25-35% of hepatitis C patients will eventually develop cirrhosis as we get older and our bodies age. About 2 million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The majority are unaware they have it or don’t know where they got it, but approximately 25-35% will develop cirrhosis. About half of those cases will be fatal (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021).
In conclusion, many statistics give a glimpse into how this disease affects American society. The number of people with Hepatitis C is on the rise, yet many people don’t know about their condition and don’t seek treatment for it. Every year the virus infects over 3 million people in America, and 2 million are unaware they have Hepatitis C. This can be attributed to how the stigma associated with the disease inhibits people from seeking treatment.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). What is Hepatitis C – FAQ | CDC. Retrieved15 August 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/hcv/cfaq.htmLazarus, J. V., Roel, E., & Elsharkawy, A. M. (2020). Hepatitis C virus epidemiology and the impact of interferon-free hepatitis C virus therapy. Cold Spring Harbor perspectives in medicine, 10(3), a036913.
WHO. (2021). Hepatitis C. Retrieved 15 August 2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hepatitis-c
