Hepatitis Viruses: Oysters, Blood Transfusions, and Cancer

This chapter studies the history of hepatitis virus infection. Hepatitis and/or jaundice were recorded in the fourth century BC by Hippocrates and over 1,000 years ago in the ancient Chinese literature. By the end of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the association of a virus infection with jaundice and liver disease was made. The major hepatitis viruses are hepatitis A (HAV), hepatitis B (HBV), and non-A, non-B or hepatitis C (HCV). HAV is transmitted almost always by fecal–oral routes but occasionally by transfusion or inoculation of blood obtained during the transient stage of viremia that occurs during the HAV incubation period. While there is currently no effective vaccine for HCV, an effective vaccine exists for HBV. A problem with the HBV vaccine is individuals refusing to be vaccinated. Nevertheless, recent progress made on the understanding and treatment of these viruses has led to the World Health Organization planning that by 2030 hepatitis infections will be reduced by 90% and deaths by 65%.