Global Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2020 Jun;49(2):179-189. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2020.01.001.

Abstract

Viral hepatitis (A, B, C, D, and E) is the leading cause of inflammation of liver tissue (hepatitis). The disease burden associated with hepatitis A and E occurs shortly after infection; it is more severe among adults. With hepatitis A and E, the number of incident cases (new acute infections) is important from a public health perspective. Long-term hepatitis has been shown to cause cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients. The disease burden associated with hepatitis B, C, and D appears 10 to 20 years after infection. Thus, the prevalence of these infections is important from a public health perspective.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Global; HBV; HCV; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; Viral hepatitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / epidemiology
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology
  • Female
  • Global Health*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / complications
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / epidemiology*
  • Hepatitis, Viral, Human / mortality
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis / epidemiology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / etiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Public Health
  • Time Factors