Medical News Briefs-Hepatitis C is Increased Dramatically
Huge Increase In Hepatitis C-related Deaths In The United States Since 1995
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), is a viral infection that attacks the liver. It is usually spread through contact with contaminated blood products. IV drug users are at very high risk for picking up the virus. Chronic hepatitis C infection is the leading reason for liver transplantation. Estimates suggest that up to 5 percent of people with chronic Hepatitis C virus will die from the infection.
In the years between 1995 to 2004, deaths from infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) rose over 120 percent in the US.
56,409 HCV associated deaths occurred between 1995 and 2004. , hepatitis C virus mortality rates climbed from 1.09 to 2.44 deaths per 100,000 during this period. The study findings also showed a greater increase in men than in women.
from: Hepatology April 2008.
