Epidemiology of hepatitis C viral infection

The prevalence of chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection in the US is estimated to be 1.8%, representing 3.9 million infected persons. Parenteral transmission remains the primary mode of spread; however, improvement in the safety of the blood supply has diminished transfusion as a risk factor. Currently, intravenous drug abuse accounts for one half of new reported cases of HCV. The incidence of HCV in patients who undergo hemodialysis is declining, probably because of blood product screening and infection control measures. Sexual transmission is relatively uncommon, and household transmission is rare. HCV prevalence in clinical and laboratory health care workers is estimated to be 1.0% to 2.0%, which is 4 times higher than that in volunteer donors.