Which Hepatitis strain is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States?

Hepatitis C is recognized as the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States. This virus is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, which can occur through sharing needles, receiving contaminated blood products, or other forms of exposure.

What makes Hepatitis C particularly significant is that many individuals who contract the virus may remain asymptomatic for years, leading to a high number of cases that go undiagnosed until they develop into more serious liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. According to health data, the prevalence of Hepatitis C infections has increased, particularly among certain high-risk populations such as those who inject drugs.

In contrast, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B, while significant in their own rights, do not match the chronic prevalence of Hepatitis C. Hepatitis A is generally an acute infection that does not lead to chronic disease, whereas Hepatitis B can lead to chronic infection, but it affects a smaller proportion of the population compared to Hepatitis C. Hepatitis D is dependent on the presence of Hepatitis B for its transmission and does not exist independently as a major chronic infection in the general population. Thus, Hepatitis C continues to be a major public health concern and is the leading cause of chronic