Hepatitis C Test Facts

Hepatitis C (HepC or HCV) is a viral infection which causes inflammation in the liver. Hepatitis C was identified in 1988. Before 1988, this type of hepatitis was called non-A, non-B hepatitis, meaning that it was not caused by the viruses that produce hepatitis A or hepatitis B.

Hepatitis C is a bloodborne infection, and may result from exposure to blood or body fluids that contain the hepatitis C virus. Approximately 3.9 million Americans are infected with hepatitis C. Currently, hepatitis C is responsible for an estimated 8,000-10,000 deaths annually from chronic liver disease. Without effective intervention, that number is believed to triple in the next 10-20 years. Hepatitis C is the leading cause for liver transplant and the 10th leading cause of death in the U.S. Comparatively, hepatitis C is five times more prevalent than HIV.

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C in the United States is highly variable by groups known to be at greater risk for infection. According to the National Institute of Health, the highest rates are found among injection drug users and hemophilia patients (60%-90%); moderate rates among hemodialysis patients (20%); and lower rates among persons with numerous sexual partners (>50) or household exposure to persons with chronic hepatitis C infection (1%-10%). The lowest rates of hepatitis C are found among volunteer blood donors (less than 0.5%). Hepatitis C infection affects persons of all ages, but most acute cases and the highest seroprevalence are found among middle-age adults.

Few people are able to clear the virus from their blood, which is necessary to be completely recovered. Over 70% of the cases reported each year become chronic, which means liver enzyme levels remain elevated for at least six months after the initial acute infection. The enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are released when liver cells are injured or die. Elevated ALT and AST levels may appear and disappear throughout the course of the infection.

The majority of people who are infected with the hepatitis C virus don't even know because of the silent nature (absence of symptoms) of the disease. Some people may even harbor this virus for 20+ years before they discover that they have it. The hepatitis C virus can and does damage the liver. This damage may be minimal or very serious.

A "positive" test result means antibodies to the hepatitis C virus were found in your test sample and that you should consider that you have been exposed to the hepatitis C virus. This does not necessarily mean it is the active virus. If you receive this test result, we recommend you consult a physician of your choice for medical advice and follow-up testing.

Hepatitis C Test Statistics

•	An estimated 4 million Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus
•	Approximately 8,000 Americans die of hepatitis C-related causes each year. The death rate is expected to triple within the next 20 years
•	The hepatitis C virus is spread primarily through contaminated blood
•	Chronic hepatitis C infection may lead to cirrhosis (scarring of the liver) and liver cancer
•	Hospital admissions for all causes of cirrhosis total 160,000 annually; the average hospital stay was nearly two weeks with a mean charge of $30,980
•	Patients dying of cirrhosis consumed $73,837 of resources on final admission
•	Chronic hepatitis C infection is the leading cause for liver transplantation in the United States
•	There are approximately 4,000 liver transplants in the U.S. annually; one-third of liver transplants have been infected with hepatitis C
•	The cost of a liver transplant ranges from $225,000 to $302,000
•	Between 75 and 85 percent of people who develop acute hepatitis C go on to develop chronic disease
•	People who received blood transfusions or blood products prior to 1992 and those who use, or once used, intravenous drugs are at greater risk for exposure to hepatitis C

Groups Recognized by the CDC to be at Risk for Hepatitis C Infection

Hepatitis C is an infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis C virus. You may be at risk for hepatitis C and should contact your medical care provider for a blood test if you:
•	were notified that you received blood from a donor who later tested positive for hepatitis C.
•	have ever injected illegal drugs, even if you experimented a few times many years ago
•	received a blood transfusion or solid organ transplant before July, 1992
•	received a blood product for clotting problems produced before 1987
•	have ever been on long-term kidney dialysis
•	have evidence of liver disease (e.g., persistently abnormal ALT levels)