More than 3 million Americans have a long-term infection from the hepatitis C virus (HCV).

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What is Hepatitis?

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Hepatitis is a disease of the liver. There are three types of hepatitis: A, B and C. All three diseases are inflammations of the liver causing it to not work properly. Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable communicable disease which typically does not become chronic. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C can become long-term chronic infections and may cause serious liver damage. Acute hepatitis C infection doesn't always become chronic. There is a vaccination for both hepatitis A and B, but there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. The good news is that hepatitis C is curable.

Who is at Risk for Hepatitis C?

- Anyone born between 1945-1965 whether or not they have ever used drugs

- Anyone who is sexually active who may have had a sexual partner with the HCV virus

- Anyone who lives with HIV

- Anyone with prior or current history of intravenous drug use or non-injection drug use

- Anyone who has received a blood transfusion or organ transplant

- Anyone exposed to HCV-positive blood

- Anyone with abnormal levels of liver enzyme ALT (alanine aminotransferase), or on long-term hemodialysis

Increased Risk for Baby Boomers

Baby boomers are at an increased risk because as children, common medical procedures such as vaccinations were conducted with sterilized needles instead of disposable needles, which are used today.

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