Which viral hepatitis accounts for 80% of chronic viral hepatitis cases?

Hepatitis C is responsible for the majority of chronic viral hepatitis cases, accounting for approximately 80% of these instances. This is significant because chronic hepatitis C can lead to serious health complications, such as liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma, making its understanding and management crucial in the field of hepatology.

Hepatitis C is primarily transmitted through blood-to-blood contact, which includes practices like sharing needles or receiving contaminated blood products. Once infected, a person with chronic hepatitis C may remain asymptomatic for years, which contributes to its prevalence and underdiagnosis.

In contrast, while hepatitis B can also lead to chronic infection and is a significant global health issue, it does not reach the same level of chronicity as hepatitis C, particularly in terms of prevalence. Hepatitis A typically results in acute infection and does not lead to chronic disease, and hepatitis D only occurs in individuals who are already infected with hepatitis B, limiting its overall impact. Thus, hepatitis C stands out as the leading cause of chronic viral hepatitis cases.