Dramatic increases in hepatitis C, CDC now recommends hepatitis C testing for all adults

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CDC Vital Signs, April 2020

Dramatic increases in hepatitis C

CDC now recommends hepatitis C testing for all adults

4 in 10
4 in 10
About 4 in 10 people with hepatitis C do not know they are infected.

4 times
4 times
New hepatitis C cases are 4 times as high as they were 10 years ago.

20 to 39
20 to 39
Younger adults 20–39 years old have the highest rates of new hepatitis C cases.

Overview

Hepatitis C is increasing dramatically in the United States, particularly among younger adults, and 4 in 10 people don’t even know they have it. Hepatitis C is usually spread through blood, often from injection drug use. Less commonly, hepatitis C is spread through sex or from an infected mother to her infant during pregnancy or childbirth. An acute infection develops when someone is first infected. Some people clear the virus, but most people with acute hepatitis C will develop a long-term (chronic) infection. Left untreated, chronic hepatitis C can cause severe liver damage, liver cancer, and even death. But hepatitis C is curable. The first step to being cured is getting a hepatitis C blood test. CDC now recommends testing:

  • Every adult at least once
  • Pregnant women during every pregnancy
  • Everyone with ongoing risk factors regularly

New Reports of Chronic Hepatitis C High in Multiple Generations

New Reports of Chronic Hepatitis C High in Multiple Generations

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SOURCE: National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, 2018.

Who Should Get Tested for Hepatitis C?

Who should get tested for hepatitis C? Every adult at least once. Every pregnant woman with every pregnancy. Everyone with risk factors regularly.

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SOURCE: CDC Recommendations for Hepatitis C Screening, MMWR, April 2020.

Problem
Multiple generations are at riskfor hepatitis C.
  • The percent of newly reported chronic infections in 2018 was equal among Baby Boomers (born 1945–1965) and Millennials (born 1981–1996), both around 36%, while Generation X (born 1966–1980) made up 23%.
  • Increasing rates of acute hepatitis C among people of reproductive age are putting even younger generations at risk.
The Way Forward
Health care Providers Can:
  • Test every adult once and pregnant women during every pregnancy.
  • Test everyone with risk factors; test regularly if risk continues.
  • Provide hepatitis C care and cure or refer to a specialist.
Health Departments Can:
  • Implement screening recommendations.
  • Monitor and report the local burden of hepatitis C.
  • Support comprehensive syringe services programs to increase access to hepatitis C testing.
People Who Inject Drugs Can:
  • Seek treatment for substance use disorders (SAMHSA’s National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP).
  • Use new syringes and equipment with every injection.
  • Get tested for hepatitis C regularly.
People With Hepatitis C Can:
  • Get treated. Get cured.
  • Avoid alcohol and adopt other health behaviors that support liver health.
Everyone Can:
  • Get tested at least once and learn how to prevent hepatitis C.
Get tested. Get cured.
Get tested. Get cured.
  • CDC now recommends one-time screening of all adults 18 years and older and screening all pregnant women during every pregnancy.
  • People with risk factors, including people who inject drugs, should be tested regularly.
  • All people with hepatitis C should be provided access to care and treatment.
Issue Details
Related Pages and Resources
Other Sites
Science Behind the Issue

For More Information
1-800-CDC-INFO (232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
Web: www.cdc.gov

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30333
Publication date: April, 2020

Page last reviewed: April 9, 2020
Content source: Division of Viral Hepatitis, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention