Viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic in the United States. Although it
is a leading infectious cause of death and claims the lives of
12,000–15,000 Americans each year, viral hepatitis remains virtually
unknown to the general public, at-risk populations, and policymakers;
even health-care providers often lack knowledge and awareness about
these infections. As a consequence, most of the 3.5–5.3 million
Americans living with viral hepatitis do not know that they are
infected, placing them at greater risk for severe, even fatal,
complications from the disease and increasing the likelihood that they
will spread the virus to others. Viral hepatitis is a major cause of
liver cirrhosis and liver cancer in the United States; persons living
with viral hepatitis are at increased risk for both conditions.
http://aids.gov/news-and-events/hepatitis/
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