In 2014, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimated a total of 2,194 cases of acute hepatitis across 40 states, and estimated that 2.7-3.9 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis C. Of every 100 persons affected by the disease, 75 to 85 will go on to develop chronic infection, 60 to 70 will develop chronic liver disease, 5 to 20 will go on to develop cirrhosis over a period of 20–30 years, and 1 to 5 will die from the consequences of chronic infection (liver cancer or cirrhosis).
Dr. Vincent Lo Re, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology at Penn Medicine, discusses the current screening guidelines and recommendations regarding hepatitis C, long-term patient care and the current landscape of treatment options.