How common is hepatitis?

In the U.S., the two most common strains of hepatitis are hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Hepatitis isn’t talked about much when it comes to STDs and STD testing, but these two infections are more common than you might have originally thought.

Hepatitis B has become much less prevalent in the U.S. since the vaccine was introduced. Still, 38,000 cases of hepatitis are reported each year. It’s estimated that many more people—somewhere between 800,000 to 1.4 million—are infected with this virus but don’t know it. Hepatitis B testing is recommended for anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated. Upon a negative result, the vaccine should be administered to prevent this virus.

Hepatitis C is more common than hepatitis B, although only 18,000 cases are reported annually. About 2.7 to 3.9 million people are living with hepatitis C, and like hepatitis B, most are unaware of their infection. Hepatitis C testing is recommended for all baby boomers (the generation born between 1945 and 1964), since the virus is prevalent among this group. IV drug users and anyone who have been exposed to infected blood should also be tested. Currently there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. 

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