19 Facts for World Hepatitis Day

May is Hepatitis Awareness month, and May 19 is World Hepatitis Day. There are still so many people who do not understand what Hepatitis C is, how it can impact a person's life, or even what the differences are between Hepatitis A, B, and C. Here are 19 Facts about hepatitis C. Please feel free to share this information with others to help spread awareness!

1. According to the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, 3.9 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis C virus
2. Globally 150 million people are infected with chronic hepatitis C
3. A person may have antibodies to hepatitis C but not be infected
4. 15-20% of patients will fight off the virus without treatment within 6 months after exposure.
5. More people die from hepatitis C than from HIV/AIDS
6. There is no vaccine to prevent the virus
7. 1 in 30 baby boomers have been exposed to hepatitis C
8. Baby boomers (born between 1945-1965) should ask for a one time hepatitis C test
9. Most baby boomers are unaware they have the infection
10. Untreated hepatitis C may lead to liver failure and/or hepatocellular carcinoma
11. Hep C is insidious in that the majority of patients have no recognizable symptoms during the first 10-20 years of having the virus
12. Up to 3/4 of patients who are infected do not know they have hepatitis C
13. Hepatitis C is the number 1 reason for adult liver transplantation in the U.S.
14. Hepatitis C is transmitted when infected blood enters the bloodstream of a non-infected person
15. 75% of patients in the U.S. have the genotype 1 strain
16. Hepatitis C is NOT considered a sexually transmitted infection
17. There is a cure for hepatitis C
18. Once cured you may get it again if you are exposed
19. People with hepatitis C should not drink alcohol