A hepatitis C epidemic has been steadily growing throughout the world over the past 20 years. Hepatitis C currently affects about 4 million Americans -- four times more people than HIV. Worldwide, it is estimated that 170 million people are infected with hepatitis C. Each year an estimated 30,000 new infections arise and about 10,000 deaths occur. The impact of hepatitis C on the healthcare professional and the healthcare system is already enormous, but promises to grow even more so in the near future. Experts believe that only about one-quarter of existing cases of hepatitis C have been diagnosed in the United States. The death toll due to complications of hepatitis C is expected to triple within the next 10 to 20 years, to over 25,000 individuals per year. 85% of hepatitis C infections persist for life and require frequent, costly, medical interventions. Since most hepatitis C patients are symptom-free, they may be infected for a decade or more without knowing it. When symptoms emerge, they can be devastating -- the consequences of a severely damaged liver. Prior to mid-1998, the only indicated treatment for chronic forms of hepatitis B and C was interferon. A new option -- combination treatment composed of ribavirin and interferon -- is now available for chronic hepatitis C patients with compensated liver disease who have relapsed following alpha interferon treatment. This web site is designed to help you understand what you might be facing as a healthcare professional who is involved in treating chronic hepatitis patients. You may browse through the diverse topic areas, including: The natural history of hepatitis Current medical concepts regarding chronic viral hepatitis Recent treatment and outcomes data for initial treatment and treatment of relapsed patients Other parts of this web site provide information for patients with hepatitis, their friends, and their family members. We hope the information in this site will help you as a healthcare professional, your patients, and their loved ones.