Which hepatitis is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States?

• A. Hepatitis A.
• B. Hepatitis C.
• C. Hepatitis B.
• D. Hepatitis E.

Answer: (B)

Hepatitis C is the most common chronic blood-borne infection in the United States because, after infection, most cases become long-lasting chronic infections. It is transmitted primarily through blood exposure—such as sharing needles—but there is no vaccine to prevent it, so the infection often persists without symptoms for years. In contrast, hepatitis A and hepatitis E are typically acute infections that do not become chronic, and while hepatitis B can be chronic, the number of people living with chronic HBV is lower in the U.S. thanks to vaccination and public health measures. So the chronic burden from hepatitis C surpasses the others.