Which hepatitis type is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States?

• A. Hepatitis A
• B. Hepatitis B (HBV)
• C. Chronic Hepatitis
• D. Hepatitis C (HCV)

Answer: (D)

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic bloodborne infection in the United States because, once infected, the virus typically remains in the body for life, leading to long-term infection in the majority of cases. Transmission occurs through blood, such as sharing needles, exposure to contaminated needles or equipment, and past unscreened blood transfusions. Hepatitis A is usually an acute illness acquired via the fecal-oral route and does not become chronic. Hepatitis B can become chronic, but overall, the burden of chronic HBV is smaller in the U.S., thanks to vaccination and treatment. The term chronic hepatitis isn’t a specific virus type; it describes long-term liver inflammation from a hepatitis infection. Therefore, among chronic, bloodborne infections, hepatitis C is the most prevalent in the United States.